The father of the late South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, Tony Forbes, has spoken out publicly for the first time following controversial remarks made by former Police Minister Bheki Cele about Anele Tembe’s tragic death. In a heartfelt interview, Tony Forbes rejected Cele’s claims, calling them “hurtful” and “unfair,” and urged authorities to allow the truth to emerge through the official inquest.
Earlier this week, Bheki Cele appeared before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, where he alleged that police had investigated Anele Tembe’s 2021 death as a possible murder case. However, he stated that prosecutors ultimately declined to take the matter to court — an implication that sparked outrage and revived public speculation around AKA’s involvement in Anele’s death.
In an exclusive interview with eNCA, Tony Forbes expressed deep frustration and sadness over Cele’s statements. He said the remarks unfairly painted his late son as a murderer, despite the absence of evidence and the fact that AKA is no longer alive to defend himself.
“So, for me, it’s just reopened the wounds, and Kiernan was just spoken of as a murderer again. It’s very unfair. It’s hurtful. He’s not here to defend himself, and I wish that the NPA could just set the record straight,” Tony said.
Tony Forbes Calls for Fairness and Due Process
Tony Forbes emphasized that the proper place to resolve lingering questions surrounding Anele Tembe’s death is through the judicial inquest, which is still expected to proceed. He confirmed that the Forbes family plans to participate fully and provide evidence to help clear their son’s name.
“The right place for this to clear out is in the inquest. That is what the inquest is for, and obviously, Kiernan passed away before it happened. But it’s not too late. We are still supposed to go there and take the facts so that there is a balanced discussion and not merely one-sided statements being made,” he explained.
For Tony, the renewed public scrutiny has been emotionally taxing. He stressed that his late son deserves fairness and that careless comments made in Parliament risk distorting the truth and further damaging the memory of a man who is no longer here to speak for himself.
Rejecting any implication that AKA was responsible for Anele Tembe’s death, Tony Forbes described his son as a loving and calm individual who had no history of violence or aggression. He reminded the public that Kiernan had planned a future with Anele and had formally asked for her hand in marriage just two weeks before her tragic passing.
“There’s no doubt that Kiernan was not a murderer. Two weeks before Anele died, Kiernan went and asked for her hand in marriage. Kiernan was not an aggressive person. He would never have done that. So, absolutely, he did not murder her,” Tony said firmly.
These words echo the sentiment many fans and close friends of AKA have long shared — that the rapper’s love for Anele was genuine and that his death, as well as hers, deserves compassion and truth rather than speculation and political point-scoring.
In his interview, Tony Forbes also addressed earlier media reports suggesting he had snubbed Bheki Cele after the arrests of suspects linked to AKA’s own murder in February 2023. Tony denied any disrespect toward the former minister and accused Cele of misrepresenting their interactions.
“As for our relationship, we spoke at the airport in the morning, and then we went our separate ways when we met in Durban. He never came to the house as he said. I’m actually surprised that the committee didn’t more robustly interrogate what the ex-minister had said,” Tony clarified.
According to Forbes, Cele’s claim that he had visited the family home to pay his respects was false. He further expressed disappointment that Parliament did not question Cele’s statements more critically, given their serious implications.
Tony Forbes went on to reiterate that, to his knowledge, the South African Police Service (SAPS) never indicated that they had evidence pointing to murder in Anele Tembe’s case. He maintained that his family’s understanding has always been that the investigation found no basis for criminal charges against AKA.
He called on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to issue a public clarification to prevent misinformation from spreading further.
“It’s time the NPA sets the record straight. Kiernan’s name cannot continue to be dragged through the mud based on unfounded claims,” he said.
Since AKA’s brutal murder outside a Durban restaurant in 2023, the Forbes family has endured immense grief and public scrutiny. For Tony, the latest allegations have reopened deep wounds. However, he remains resolute in his mission to protect his son’s legacy and ensure that the truth about both deaths — Anele’s and Kiernan’s — is established through proper legal channels.
Fans across South Africa have rallied around Tony Forbes, flooding social media with messages of support and solidarity. Many commended him for his composure, integrity, and commitment to justice in the face of ongoing speculation.
Tony Forbes’s powerful response serves as both a defense of his late son’s memory and a reminder of the importance of truth and fairness. As the inquest into Anele Tembe’s death moves forward, Tony remains determined to ensure that AKA’s name is cleared once and for all.
For now, his message is clear: let the facts — not speculation — decide the truth.
Source- Fakaza
