You never really know people

In his testimony before the parliamentary committee investigating allegations of corruption in the South Africa Police Service, former Police Minister Bheki Cele said murder was not ruled out in Anele Tembe's death, but prosecutors refused to take the case forward. Anele was popular rapper AKA's fiancée, and she died after 'falling' from the 10th floor of a Cape Town hotel in April 2021. Her death was believed to be a su!cide, which her family and those close to her still dispute. There had been counter-allegations of abuse on the relationship, but mostly against AKA, who was subsequently shot dead in Durban in February 2023, almost two weeks after his 35th birthday.

In the wake of Cele's comments, AKA's father, Tony Forbes, came out in defence of his son. He said he wasn't a killer, wasn't aggressive, loved Anele dearly, and had even asked for her hand in marriage two weeks before she 'jumped'. Tony said the ex-minister's comments were hurtful and unfair. I do feel for him because it's definitely not pleasant to have your dead son's name dragged in the mud. I don't know if AKA took his fiancée life or not. In fact, nobody does. The two people involved aren't here anymore to speak for themselves. What I know, however, is that you can never really vouch for your child or loved ones. Our sweet, obedient and God-fearing children can be absolute monsters in other circles, especially to their intimate partners. It would hurt to hear someone describe your sweet little prince as abusive, but people are capable of such ugliness despite the good side they choose to show to those they hoodwink. There was another case this week at a Cape Town school, where a group of teens ganged up on a schoolmate, flogging him with an assortment of objects such as belts, a hockey stick and I don't know what else because I couldn't bring myself to watch. I'm sure the parents of those evil little thugs are also horrified to see a side of their children they didn't know existed. So next time someone claims they are being abused or have been abused by someone you love or think you know well, don't be quick to dismiss them and say oh I've worked with him for 20 years and he's the most humble of people, he preaches at church every Sunday, he donates to the poor and has no mean bone in his body, or whatever else you think you know. Abusive people are actually two-faced and pick who to show their ugliness. That's why there will always be people who will put their heads on the chopping block for them, believing them to be incapable of cruelty. People, men especially, buy flowers and cars everyday for women they beat to a pulp behind closed doors. Serial killers and child abusers are mostly known in their communities as upstanding people who wouldn't hurt a fly. Even Adolf Hitler had a legion of supporters too!