By Palesa Matlala
- The inquest into Anele Tembe’s 2021 death finally begins in Cape Town, five years on and after fiancé AKA’s own murder.
- A UK triple murder suspect, an organ mystery in Soweto, and Ekurhuleni’s fraud case all return to court the same day.
Monday is set to be a big day in South Africa’s courts, with four major cases due for hearing.
1. Anele Tembe inquest finally begins
The long awaited inquest into the death of Anele Tembe gets underway in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Tembe, 22, died after falling from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town in April 2021, while with her fiancé, rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes.
Her death was initially ruled a suicide, but her family has challenged that finding for years. AKA was shot dead in Durban in February 2023, and the case only moved to a formal inquest after his murder, after a leaked letter from the family’s lawyers raised suspicion he may have been involved in her death.
The National Prosecuting Authority says six witnesses will testify during the three day hearing. The inquest will examine what happened in Tembe’s final hours and whether anyone can be held legally responsible for her death. Findings will later go to the NPA, which will decide whether criminal charges should follow.
2. United Kingdom triple murder suspect faces court
Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma is expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday after being arrested in Kensington on Friday. The 45 year old British citizen of Zimbabwean origin is wanted in the United Kingdom over the deaths of his wife, 42 year old Nothabo Tshuma, and their daughters, 15 year old Natalie and five year old Nala, found dead at their Bedfordshire home.
South African police arrested Tshuma with Interpol’s help after an international manhunt. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says extradition papers are being prepared.
3. Mystery of human organs heads to court
Two men are expected to appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court after police discovered what are believed to be human hearts and lungs at a house in Naledi, Soweto. Johannesburg Metro Police officers investigating a stripped vehicle tip off found a hijacked National Department of Health Volkswagen Caddy in a garage, then two buckets containing organs believed to be human during a search of the property.
The suspects face charges of possessing a hijacked vehicle and possessing human organs. Police are still trying to identify where the organs came from.
4. Metro police boss back in court over impersonation plot
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla return to the Boksburg Regional Court on Monday, facing charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Prosecutors allege Lerutla paid Mkhwanazi R400,000 to arrange an impersonator for a 2019 speeding case.
Both men deny the allegations and remain free on R30,000 bail each.
Pictured above: Four major cases return to South Africa’s courts on Monday, including the long delayed inquest into Anele Tembe’s death.
Image source: File
