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Toxicologist tells Anele Tembe inquest cocaine was found in her body

Published

A toxicologist told the inquest into Anele Tembe's death that cocaine and substances linked to antidepressants and antipsychotic medication were found in her body. The inquest was then postponed and will resume on 17 November.

The toxicologist said cocaine, cocaethylene and norcocaine were detected. Reports of the testimony said 0.2mg of cocaine was found in her stomach. He said working out the combined effects of the substances, or whether they could be lethal, fell outside his expertise.

In a quote from his evidence, the toxicologist said: "Cocaethylene happens when cocaine is mixed with alcohol."

Tembe was 22 when she fell from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town in April 2021. The court also heard that her fiancé, rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes, had fresh scratch marks and bruises after her death. A doctor who examined him said he looked stressed and agitated.

Police forensic analysts told the inquest that Tembe either was pushed forcefully or jumped. A pathologist said bruises on her neck could have come from pressure by hands, but a love bite was more likely because the marks were superficial.

Key facts

Who
Anele Tembe (22-year-old woman whose death after a fall from a Cape Town hotel balcony is…); Unnamed toxicologist (sixth witness at the inquest who testified on toxicology results); Cape Town Magistrate's Court (court hearing the inquest); Cape Town Regional Court (court hearing the formal inquest)
What
At the second day of the inquest into the death of 22-year-old Anele Tembe, who fell from a Cape Town hotel balcony in April 2021, a toxicologist testified that cocaine, cocaethylene, norcocaine and substances associated with antidepressants and an antipsychotic were detected. He said he could not say whether their combined effects could be lethal. A doctor testified that slain rapper Kiernan…
When
20 October 2026
Where
Cape Town, Durban
Status
Reported

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