AKA: I’m not a suspect in police inquest into my fiancée’s death

Kiernan Forbes, South African rapper better known as AKA, says he is not a suspect in the investigation into the death of Anele ‘Nelli’ Tembe, his fiancée, as rumoured in some quarters.

The 22-year-old died on April 11 after an accident at the Pepperclub Hotel in central Cape Town.

Reports had swirled that the deceased fell from the 10th floor of the five-star hotel but police said an investigation was ongoing to ascertain the cause of her death.

In a statement via his Instagram page on Saturday, the musician said he has been collaborating with the police to unravel the circumstances surrounding his fiancee’s demise.

“I am fully aware of who the ‘sources’ engaging media are and what their intention is, which is to influence the SAPS inquest. The investigating officer has stated numerous times to my legal team that I, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, have not been named to be a suspect, but have been nothing by a cooperating witness. What I will say as my truth is I was and still am madly in love with a girl, carrying whatever past traumas she faced before I met her,” it read.

He revealed that he had also submitted himself for psychological and spiritual counselling for his own benefit as he strives to overcome the trauma.

“I own up to my past and current traumas and I have submitted myself to psychological and spiritual counselling for my own benefit and growth,” he added.

“I hope everyone affected by Anele’s traumatic passing does the same for themselves, individually and collectively, so that we may all afford her spirit the rest she deserves and come to terms with the choices she made that fateful morning of 11 April.”

AKA said it is unfortunate that people he and his late fiancée trusted with their challenges have started using such to smear his reputation.

“It is a sad day when I find myself having to speak to the nature of my relationship with Anele. What makes it even sadder is the knowledge that some of the people she and I loved and entrusted with our deepest troubles are now using those as weapons to set a negative narrative on my character,” it added.

“I am a passionate and emotional person. What I will not do and stand for is watching people attempt to disparage my name and, importantly, Anele’s character to suit a narrative we both ever signed up for.

“We enjoyed a beautiful, yet challenging relationship that at times was tumultuous, like all relationships. Made worse by the pressures of being in the public eye, which we too played up to.

“As numb as I was at Anele’s funeral, I took in every word imparted, the direct ones and all those filled innuendos. I will not be a part of speaking or exposing our troubles as a couple to defend myself from one-sided views that are portrayed out of their full context. Every story has two sides and so does every video, image and message…”