Nearly three years after the tragic assassination of award-winning South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, his father, Tony Forbes, has taken a stand to defend his late son’s memory.
In a public statement, Tony revealed his painful decision to release personal WhatsApp messages exchanged between AKA, his late fiancée Anele “Nelli” Tembe, and the Tembe family’s legal representative. The leaked texts stem from a December 2020 incident at the Hilton Hotel in Durban, preceding Anele’s tragic death.
Clearing the Air: Why Tony Forbes Broke His Silence
Anele Tembe tragically lost her life on April 11, 2021, after falling from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town. Since then, public speculation and direct allegations have swirled, with some accusing the Supa Mega of having a hand in her death.
For years, Tony Forbes intentionally stayed quiet, trusting the formal inquest to reveal the truth. However, continuous attacks on his son’s character pushed him past his breaking point.
“I did it as his dad. Not Lynn Forbes, nor Steffan Forbes. I couldn’t save him, but I can fight for his name and memory.” — Tony Forbes
What the Released Messages Aim to Reveal:
- The NPA’s Stance: According to Tony, the WhatsApp transcripts directly support the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) final decision that there was no evidence of foul play by AKA.
- Docket Contradictions: He alleges that the text conversations expose major contradictions in several sworn affidavits contained in the police case docket.
- Overlooked Evidence: Tony raised questions about why investigators allegedly omitted these crucial messages, despite them being fully accessible on AKA’s personal mobile phone.
A Double Tragedy
The defense of AKA’s name comes long after the rapper himself was silenced. On February 10, 2023, Kiernan Forbes and his lifelong friend, celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, were shot and killed outside a restaurant on Florida Road in Durban.
While several suspects are currently facing trial for the murders of AKA and Tibz, Tony is ensuring that his son’s character is not assassinated posthumously. He closed his statement with a message of deep gratitude to the Megacy and everyone who has supported the family through their darkest hours: “Thank you for your continued and amazing support.”
