Author Melinda Ferguson has confirmed Moses Tembe’s contribution to her book When Love Kills: The Tragic Tale of AKA and Anele Tembe. This follows reports that the Durban businessman distanced himself from any involvement, including allegations he commissioned it.
The controversial book reflects on the toxic and allegedly abusive relationship between the rapper – real name Kiernan Forbes – and his fiancée, Anele. It also delves into both their untimely deaths.
The release of the book comes amid an inquest for the 22-year-old woman who fell off the tenth floor of the Pepperclub Hotel on 11 April 2021. It also coincides with charges of murder against seven men accused of murdering AKA in an “assassination” on 10 February 2023.
MELINDA FERGUSON CONFIRMS MOSES TEMBE INVOLVEMENT
Earlier this month, Moses Tembe – via a family spokesperson – denied commissioning or contributing to When Love Kills “in any way.”
However, Melinda Ferguson told Podcast & Chill’s Sol Phenduka last week that this was incorrect. In the book, the award-winning journalist and author speaks at length to the father of Anele Tembe, who reflected on the death of both his daughter and her partner, AKA.
In a statement on her Facebook account, Melinda confirmed that she had interviewed Moses as part of her research.
She said: “Over the past fortnight, there has been much confusion around the participation of Moses Tembe, Anele Tembe’s father, in my book, When Love Kills.
“Moses sat down with me after I approached him to discuss the untimeous loss of his daughter and his deep grief. It is absolutely true, as his spokesperson stated, that he did not commission the book, or make any form of financial contribution, or compensate the project in any way.
“Moses voluntarily agreed to talk to me about the life of his beloved daughter, Anele.”
Ever since the 11 April when the cover to my book was leaked I’ve been accused of many things …I’m kind of used to…
Posted by Melinda Ferguson on Wednesday 1 May 2024
WITNESS TELLS ALL
While Melinda Ferguson claimed that many people she interviewed close to the couple did not want to be named “out of fear,” one who boldly spoke out was Rob Stefanutto.
The Cape Town businessman was an eyewitness who assisted a dying Anele Tembe after her fatal fall from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel on the morning of 11 April 2023.
During his account, Rob stated the following:
- He heard AKA and Anele argue before her fall, with Anele loudly screaming: “Leave me alone! Get away from me!”.
- He administered CPR on Anele and called paramedics to assist.
- AKA did not come down to see his fiancée as she lay dying.
- Police did not assist him with writing a statement. Instead, Moses Tembe’s attorney did.
- He claims he does “not know what happened” to his statement thereafter.
MOSES TEMBE HAD ‘EVIDENCE’ ON AKA
Meanwhile, Moses Tembe told Melinda Ferguson he had “strong evidence” suggesting his daughter did not jump to her death.
According to his account in When Love Kills, on the eve of his daughter’s funeral, Moses received a preliminary police report relating to her death.
He said: “I got the reports that gave me the dull evidence of what had really happened on the night before my daughter’s funeral.
“Look, it was 99% sure that Anele did not kill herself.”
In a leaked letter to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Tembe family documented the “evidence” that they believed AKA had “pushed” Anele off the balcony.
According to the Citizen, the letter had damning accusations against AKA and his alleged involvement in Anele’s death.
Sharing his “theory” in the book, Moses Tembe said: “I believe Anele ended the relationship with him [AKA] … Controlling men can’t handle women who stand up to them”.
