Five years after Anele Tembe's tragic death, her family is closer to uncovering the truth as a trial date is set for July 2026, with 23 witnesses expected to testify.
Image: file
Five years after the death of Anele Tembe, her family believes they are moving closer to uncovering the truth behind the circumstances of her passing. The Cape Town Magistrate’s Court has officially confirmed a trial date set for July 2026, where 23 witnesses have been subpoenaed to provide testimony shedding light on the case.
A source close to the investigation shared that preparations for the trial were progressing well. “The trial is commencing in July. It has been confirmed that all boxes have been ticked, and we are ready to go,” said the source.
Six of the 23 subpoenaed witnesses have already expressed their willingness to testify. This has raised the hopes of the Tembe family that a comprehensive judicial examination of the facts surrounding Anele’s tragic fall will become a reality.
Her brother, Jasper, voiced the family’s desire for closure: “We trust all 23 subpoenaed witnesses will have the courage to testify honestly, which will help the family find closure.”
Their sentiments reflect a poignant mixture of anticipation and lingering grief as they strive to understand the events that led to their daughter’s death in April 2021.
Anele, the daughter of businessman Moses Tembe, fell from the tenth floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town, marking the beginning of an agonising chapter for the family.
The tragedy was further compounded two years later by the violent murder of her partner, the celebrated rapper AKA, who was shot dead in Durban. Proceedings in that matter are also scheduled for July, with five suspects currently awaiting trial.
In the wake of Anele’s death, allegations emerged suggesting that AKA was involved, which he had previously vehemently denied.
A letter leaked following his murder indicated that the Tembe family suspected he may have played a role in their daughter’s premature death, generating further public speculation regarding his possible involvement.
The narrative surrounding Anele’s death was further complicated by former Minister of Police Bheki Cele’s remarks, which hinted at a potential police cover-up.
His assertions during an Ad Hoc Committee meeting in Parliament intensified calls for transparency regarding the investigation.
“There is an inquest into the death of Moses Tembe’s daughter. The police conducted the investigation, and they believed that the daughter was murdered,” Cele told the Ad Hoc Committee.
According to Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the inquest is expected to last three days in July, with key witnesses anticipated to provide crucial testimony.
Ntabazalila underscored the importance of the inquest findings, stating: “It is the findings of that inquest that will determine a way forward on how this matter is being moved forward.”
Previous investigations by the NPA led to a referral for an inquest after insufficient grounds were found to prosecute anyone.
Moses Tembe described the pain experienced by the family in an April 2024 interview, where he voiced his frustrations over the delayed inquest.
“For the family, we are still feeling so much pain, we are still feeling so much anguish out of the passing of our daughter Anele,” he said.
Cele’s comments have reignited public scrutiny surrounding the police’s handling of the case and have reinforced a renewed demand for justice in Anele’s name.
The pair’s relationship was reportedly marred by alleged toxic behaviour. Investigative reports and a book by author Melinda Ferguson suggested a volatile relationship between Tembe and AKA, including allegations of substance abuse and domestic violence.
Reports also emerged that AKA allegedly broke down a door to get to Anele on the day of the fatal incident.
DAILY NEWS