AKA’s father seeks truth as experts debate Tembe’s fall

Tony Forbes has declined legal representation at the inquest into Anele Tembe’s death, as forensic experts debate whether she jumped or was pushed from a hotel balcony.

Philander explained that the physics of the fall alone could not conclusively establish whether Tembe had jumped or been pushed.

The court heard that a footprint identified on the outside edge of the balcony suggested Tembe had been facing towards the hotel room, with her back to the street.

A crime scene investigator testified that the positioning of the footprints did not establish that a struggle had occurred on the balcony. The absence of visible scuff marks or other disturbances was also discussed.

The forensic expert acknowledged that an altercation could not be excluded but said the available evidence did not establish that one had caused the fall.

The inquest also heard that AKA had multiple fresh scratches and bruises when he was medically examined after Tembe’s death.

A doctor described him as stressed and agitated, saying this had made it difficult to obtain a full account of how the injuries were sustained.

Toxicology evidence revealed cocaine-related substances, including cocaethylene, which is produced when cocaine and alcohol are consumed together, in Tembe’s body. The court also heard evidence of substances associated.