Nelli Tembe, the fiancée of local rapper AKA, has died after she reportedly fell from the 10th floor at the luxury Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town on Sunday.
In a statement released a short while ago, her family confirmed the tragic news adding that AKA, whose real name is Kiernan Forbes, “is currently inconsolable”.
“It is with the deepest regret that we, the Tembe and Forbes families, confirm the untimely passing of our beloved fiancée, daughter, sister and daughter-in-law, Anele Tembe, 22. Anele tragically passed on in the early hours of this morning Sunday 11 April.
“We are still in shock and are dealing with our emotions, as she was an exceptional and gifted young woman, with so much life ahead of her. She had a sweet nature about her and was always nurturing to those around her.
“Her fiancé, Kiernan Forbes is currently inconsolable and is surrounded my family and closest friends,” the family says.
I was informed that Nellie’s family will be the ones releasing a statement in due course.
— Kgopolo Mphela ☕️ (@PhilMphela) April 11, 2021
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk said crime scene experts are still on the scene combing the area for clues.
“Cape Town Central police are investigating an inquest case after an incident at a hotel this morning at about 7:45am on the corners of Loop and Bloem Street, Cape Town CBD where the body of a 22-year-old woman was found deceased.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst said paramedics had responded at the scene.
“Netcare 911 responded to a fall outside a hotel in the Cape Town City centre.
“Reports from the scene indicate that a 22-year-old female had allegedly jumped from the tenth floor landing on the road below.
“Medics assessed the patient who had sustained critical injuries and was treated on scene by an advanced life support paramedic. While stabilizing the patient her condition rapidly deteriorated and she was sadly declared deceased on the scene," Herbst said.
The hotel’s general manager Efi Ella said: “At 7.30am this morning we got a call that there was an incident, which we called the police subsequent to that. What I can tell you is that it is under investigation.”
*This is a developing story.