Text Messages from AKA to Tembe Family Lawyer Uncovered at Anele Tembe Inquest. Recent developments in the inquest into Anele Tembe’s death have shed light on the final months of her contentious relationship with the late rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes.
During proceedings at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 13, 2026, eNCA disclosed a series of text messages that may play a significant role in the investigation. The messages, set to be evaluated alongside testimonies from six witnesses, have reignited public fascination with this high-profile legal matter in South Africa.
Among the most compelling evidence are messages dated December 11, 2020, a few months prior to Tembe’s death at the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town on April 11, 2021. The exchange reportedly occurred between Forbes and an attorney for the Tembe family during a troubling instance at the Hilton Hotel in Durban, where Tembe allegedly threatened to leap from a ledge.
The messages describe Forbes’ alarming account of the situation, stating that Tembe was acting erratically while he remained confined in his hotel room. The dialogue includes updates indicating she was threatening to jump, causing disturbances and leading to the involvement of hotel security and police. Furthermore, it is alleged that Tembe called the lawyer, expressing suicidal thoughts connected to her emotional distress and the turbulence in her relationship.
The revelation of these messages raises new questions due to discrepancies from earlier statements. Consequently, the Tembe family has urged the National Prosecuting Authority to investigate what they perceive as inconsistencies in prior testimonies. They have consistently challenged claims suggesting Tembe had a long-standing history of suicidal behavior, asserting that every detail regarding her death warrants comprehensive examination.
At 22 years old, Tembe was engaged to Forbes and hailed from a prominent South African family. Although her death was initially treated as a potential suicide, the case has remained a focal point of public discussion. After the NPA decided against prosecution in 2022, the issue was redirected to an inquest to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.
Reportedly, the evidence also includes direct messages exchanged between Tembe and Forbes, wherein she referenced previous suicidal inclinations and warned there would not be another chance if there was a “next time.” The messages suggest a relationship under considerable stress and further complicate a case that has sustained national interest, particularly after Forbes’ murder in Durban in 2023.
With Forbes deceased and unable to provide testimony, the inquest will depend on witness accounts, forensic analysis, and documentary evidence, including these recently uncovered messages, to ascertain whether Tembe’s death was a result of suicide, an accident, or criminal conduct.
As the hearings progress, the focus continues to be on providing answers for the Tembe family in a case that remains a significant topic in South Africa. The newly presented evidence further explores the personal challenges behind a very public relationship as the court strives to clarify the circumstances of Tembe’s last moments.
