Tony Forbes Takes Stand Against ‘Character Assassination’ Of AKA
The post Tony Forbes Takes Stand Against ‘Character Assassination’ Of AKA appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag. Tony Forbes Takes Stand Against ‘Character Assassination’ Of AKA. Tony Forbes has publicly released a series of WhatsApp messages that he says shed new light on the events surrounding the death of his late son AKA’s fiancée, Anele Tembe, in an effort to defend the rapper’s legacy against years of public accusations. Tony Forbes Takes … The post Tony Forbes Takes Stand Against ‘Character Assassination’ Of AKA appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
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The post Tony Forbes Takes Stand Against ‘Character Assassination’ Of AKA appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Tony Forbes Takes Stand Against ‘Character Assassination’ Of AKA. Tony Forbes has publicly released a series of WhatsApp messages that he says shed new light on the events surrounding the death of his late son AKA’s fiancée, Anele Tembe, in an effort to defend the rapper’s legacy against years of public accusations.
In a statement titled Inquest, the father of the slain South African hip-hop star, whose real name was Kiernan Forbes, explained that he made the difficult decision to publish the messages after enduring what he described as years of speculation and character attacks directed at his son.
“On Sunday night, I reluctantly decided to release various WhatsApp texts exchanged between Kiernan Forbes, Anele Tembe and the Tembe family lawyer at some point. I did it as his father. Not Lynn Forbes, nor Steffan Forbes. I could not save him, but I can fight for his name and memory,” he wrote.
According to Tony Forbes, the messages relate to the tragic incident at Durban’s Hilton Hotel in December 2020, where Anele Tembe died after falling from a hotel balcony. He believes the conversations support the National Prosecuting Authority’s earlier finding that there was no foul play involved in her death.
He also claimed the messages expose contradictions between their contents and the affidavits contained in the official case docket. Forbes further alleged that although the conversations were stored on Kiernan’s cellphone, they were never included in the investigation by the investigating officer.
Forbes said he had intentionally remained silent over the years despite repeated allegations made in the media and public discourse that accused AKA of being responsible for Tembe’s death. He maintained that he had initially trusted the inquest process to establish the facts.
However, he said, ongoing attacks on his son’s reputation ultimately convinced him that it was time to release the information publicly.
“Over the years, I have generally not responded to countless media stories, political speeches and allegations that Kiernan murdered Anele. I believed that the formal Inquest was the right place to respond. However, after continued character assassinations, I believed the time was right to put this information into the public domain. To bring balance. To bring facts. Not speculation. Not to create a false narrative.”
He reiterated that the messages support the NPA’s conclusion, while also raising questions about evidence that was allegedly omitted from the official case file.
“In short, the texts support the NPA decision that there was no foul play. It also raises contradictions in relation to sworn affidavits in the docket. Amazingly, these texts were never included in the case docket. These texts were on Kiernan’s phone all along.”
Tony Forbes ended his statement by encouraging the public to examine the messages and draw their own conclusions.
“Read the texts and decide for yourself. Thank you for your continued and amazing support.”
The release of the messages comes as renewed public interest surrounds the inquest into Anele Tembe’s death. The case has remained one of South Africa’s most closely watched tragedies since the fatal incident in 2020, with questions continuing to surface years later.
AKA, one of South Africa’s most influential hip-hop artists, was tragically shot and killed outside a Durban restaurant in February 2023 alongside his close friend, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane. His murder sent shockwaves across the country and the music industry, leaving fans and loved ones mourning the loss of one of the nation’s biggest stars.
As the inquest continues, Tony Forbes’ decision to release the WhatsApp messages represents his latest effort to protect his son’s reputation and ensure that, in his view, the public has access to information he believes is essential to understanding the events surrounding Anele Tembe’s death.
The post Tony Forbes Takes Stand Against ‘Character Assassination’ Of AKA appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
