Overview
- The inquest began on Monday, 7 September 2026, to review the April 11, 2021 fall from the tenth floor of the Pepperclub Hotel and to determine whether anyone should face legal responsibility.
- Six witnesses gave evidence on opening day, including neighbour Robert Stefanutto who said Tembe briefly showed signs of life, and police officers who described blood on bedding, the smell of alcohol and a room in disarray.
- Hotel staff and police testified that rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes made a frantic call to the hotel asking for security, told investigators he retreated to the bathroom during an argument, and cited a December 2020 Durban incident as context for not expecting a jump.
- The National Prosecuting Authority previously declined to prosecute and referred the matter for this fact‑finding inquest, which is expected to call 20 to 30 witnesses and to review CCTV, phone records and forensic reports.
- The court’s findings could trigger further criminal action if unlawful conduct is found and the inquest proceeds as seven suspects in AKA’s February 2023 murder prepare for trial in KwaZulu‑Natal in October–November 2026.