Cocaine, Alcohol and Prescription Medication Found in Anele Tembe’s Body, Inquest Hears

Nomfundo Khumalo Published 4 hours ago

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Toxicology evidence presented during the inquest into the death of Anele Tembe has revealed that cocaine, alcohol-related substances and compounds associated with prescription medication were detected in samples taken from her body following her fatal fall from a Cape Town hotel in April 2021.

The findings were presented at the Cape Town Regional Court on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, as witnesses continued to give evidence about the circumstances surrounding the 22-year-old’s death.

Tembe died in the early hours of 11 April 2021 after falling from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town. She was engaged to South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, who was with her at the hotel at the time.

Cocaine detected in toxicology tests

A toxicologist who testified during the inquest told the court that forensic testing detected cocaine in Tembe’s stomach, with cocaine-related compounds also identified in samples taken from her body.

The toxicologist reported that 0.2mg of cocaine had been detected in her stomach. Other substances identified included cocaethylene and norcocaine, which are associated with cocaine use and its breakdown in the body.

Cocaethylene forms when cocaine and alcohol are consumed together. Its presence was among the findings presented as part of the court’s examination of the toxicology evidence.

The analysis also identified a breakdown product associated with antidepressant medication and a substance linked to antipsychotic medication.

The evidence formed part of the broader investigation into the circumstances leading to Tembe’s death, with forensic and medical experts being called to explain their findings to the court.

Toxicologist explains limits of the findings

During questioning, the toxicologist was asked about the possible effects of the substances identified in Tembe’s body, including whether their combination could have produced a lethal effect.

He explained that determining the combined physiological or behavioural effects of the substances was outside his area of expertise.

His role was to identify the substances detected through toxicological testing rather than establish how they may have affected Tembe individually or in combination.

The findings therefore need to be considered within the limits of the evidence presented. The detection of a substance in a toxicology sample does not, on its own, establish the precise effect it had on a person at a particular time or determine the circumstances of their death.

The court is examining the toxicology results alongside other forensic evidence and witness testimony to establish what happened before Tembe fell from the hotel balcony.

Pathologist gives evidence on Tembe’s condition

Further evidence presented during the inquest examined Tembe’s physical condition and whether the substances found in her body could have affected her ability to climb over the balcony railing.

A forensic pathologist testified that Tembe’s blood-alcohol concentration was consistent with being under the influence of alcohol, but did not indicate that she was unconscious or severely incapacitated.

The pathologist said, in her opinion, Tembe may still have been physically capable of climbing over the balcony. She cautioned that alcohol affects individuals differently and that she did not have information about Tembe’s drinking history.

The pathologist also discussed the cocaine findings, explaining that cocaine is a stimulant and that the substances detected did not necessarily mean Tembe would have been unable to climb over the railing.

Her testimony addressed the possible physical effects of the substances but did not establish how Tembe came to fall from the building.

Evidence about AKA’s injuries

The inquest also heard testimony about injuries observed on Forbes shortly after Tembe’s death.

A doctor who examined him testified that he had multiple fresh scratches and bruises. The injuries were described as consistent with contact involving sharp and blunt objects.

The doctor said Forbes appeared stressed and agitated during the examination, which made it difficult to obtain a complete explanation of how the injuries had occurred.

The evidence concerning Forbes’ condition forms part of the wider investigation into the events surrounding Tembe’s death. The existence of injuries does not, by itself, establish how they were sustained or prove that a particular person was responsible.

Forbes was murdered in Durban in February 2023, nearly two years after Tembe’s death.

Balcony evidence examined

Earlier proceedings also considered forensic findings from the Pepperclub Hotel balcony.

Investigators told the court that a footprint believed to belong to Tembe was found on the outer edge of the balcony railing. Partial footprints were also identified in the area, while investigators reported that no fingerprints were recovered from the railing.

The absence of fingerprints was discussed in the context of possible contamination of the scene after the incident.

Forensic evidence concerning the position of the footprint and the circumstances of the fall is being considered alongside the medical and toxicological findings.

Inquest continues

The inquest is intended to establish the circumstances surrounding Tembe’s death and determine whether negligence or unlawful conduct by another person contributed to it.

The toxicology evidence has established that cocaine and several related compounds, together with substances associated with prescription medication, were detected in samples taken from Tembe’s body. However, the toxicologist who testified did not determine whether the combination was lethal or establish precisely how the substances affected her before the fall.

The court must consider this evidence alongside the other testimony presented during the proceedings.

As of 21 October 2026, the circumstances of Tembe’s fatal fall remain under examination, and the inquest has not reached a final conclusion on whether she jumped, fell accidentally or was pushed.

The proceedings have been postponed to 17 November 2026, when further testimony is expected.