By Palesa Matlala
- A frantic call from the late rapper AKA to hotel staff, moments before Anele Tembe’s fatal fall, was read into the inquest into her death.
- Elsewhere, courts heard a bail fight over Nelson Mandela’s belongings, denials in a bribery case, and disputed evidence in Matlala’s trial.
AKA’s frantic call before Anele’s fatal fall
Kiernan “AKA” Forbes made a frantic call to hotel staff moments before his fiancée, Anele Tembe, fell to her death from a Cape Town hotel, an inquest has heard.
A Pepperclub Hotel employee told the court that Forbes sounded panicked and said someone was on the balcony and wanted to jump. He referred to Tembe only as “someone,” without naming her or saying she was his partner.
The employee said she stayed on the phone with him before hearing a loud scream, followed by a bang that sounded like a car crash. A colleague opened the curtains and saw Tembe’s body on the ground. The witness called security and later went outside with other staff members, who covered Tembe’s body with a sheet.
Forbes himself cannot answer any questions about that morning. He was shot dead in Durban in February 2023, in what investigators later described as a coordinated contract killing. The Forbes family has decided not to have legal representation at this inquest. AKA’s father, Tony Forbes, had previously indicated he would testify to give the family’s account.
Court fight over evidence in Matlala trial
A bail affidavit could become key evidence in the trial of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused. The Johannesburg High Court must decide whether Musa Kekana’s 2024 bail proceedings can be used against him.
The state says Kekana’s bail record contains major differences from his current version. His defence says he was never properly warned that his bail affidavit could later be used against him, though the prosecution argues he confirmed he understood the warning at the time.
Matlala and four others face 25 charges linked to three shooting incidents between 2022 and 2024. The trial continues.
Madiba’s belongings at centre of court fight
Nelson Mandela’s shirts, letters, identity document and hearing aid are at the centre of a Constitutional Court battle. Mandela’s eldest daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, wants to auction dozens of his belongings in New York, including his Madiba shirts and the identity document he used to vote in 1994.
The South African Heritage Resources Agency, Robben Island Museum and Department of Sport, Arts and Culture want to stop the items leaving the country, arguing they are part of South Africa’s heritage. Mandela died in December 2013, and his estate has still not been wound up.
Mapisa-Nqakula denies coded bribe talk
Former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has denied using coded language to hide alleged bribes from Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu. She admitted meeting Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu several times but said the meetings were social and money was never discussed.
“She told me she was given a tender by the Defence Force, but had just received a letter withdrawing the tender,” Mapisa-Nqakula told the court. She said their first meeting was in 2016, and they met three more times in 2017. She faces 12 corruption charges and one money laundering charge linked to claims she asked for and received millions of rands in bribes while Defence Minister. She denies the claims.
Murder accused metro police boss fights for bail
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and five co-accused are fighting for bail in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court, facing charges of murder, robbery and defeating the ends of justice linked to the April 2022 killing of Emmanuel Mbense.
Their lawyers have attacked the quality of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s investigation. The state is expected to oppose bail.
Cellphone records back in Senzo Meyiwa spotlight
The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumes in the High Court in Pretoria, after being postponed last week when an interpreter fell ill. Vodacom expert Tsholanang Golele is expected to continue evidence on whether cellphone records belonging to the late Mabhungu Ntuli can be admitted.
Man accused of Spring Day stabbing back in court
A 53 year old man accused of stabbing 20 year old Tshepang Nyathi through the heart during Spring Day celebrations makes his second appearance in the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court. The attack happened in Refilwe, Cullinan, after a water splashing incident. Nyathi died minutes later at a local clinic.
Pictured above: Judges chair.
Image source: Palesa Matlala
