Nelli Tembe’s dad doesn't believe suicide claims

Nelli Tembe’s dad doesn't believe suicide claims

The father says his daughter "was neither suicidal nor did she commit suicide."

Kiernan 'AKA and Anele 'Nelli' Tembe
Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Anele Tembe with his family/ Instagram (@akaworldwide)

 Anele 'Nelli' Tembe's father, Moses Tembe, has hinted that substance abuse could have played a part in her death. 

Family and friends gathered in Durban on Friday to bid a final farewell to the 22-year-old after she fell to her death from the 10th floor of a hotel building. 

Nelli's fiancé AKA, and several members of his family, were also in attendance. 

Many believed Nelli's death was being treated as a suicide, but her father says he does not believe that she killed herself.

He said she "loved herself so much". 

"As Anele's father, I hereby state categorically that Anele was neither suicidal nor did she commit suicide," a tribute by her parents stated. 

Family friend, Sandile Zungu, read out the tribute at the funeral. 

Moses also alluded to the fact that substance abuse was to blame. 

"We must of course deal with the scourge that bedevils our youth - alcohol, which is overused, and drugs. Fellow South Africans we better wake up and smell the coffee. We have a serious problem with substance abuse.” 

READ: LISTEN: ‘She went the extra mile to make me happy' says Anele Tembe's father

There was mixed reaction to Nelli's father's tribute. Some Twitter users believed he was downplaying mental health. 

"Anele tembe's funeral is making me realize that our parents really don't know us! They don't," one Twitter user wrote.

Another user added: "My interpretation is that Anele Tembe's father is hurt, he is standing before us speaking at his daughter's funeral. That is a painful experience, no parent should have to bury their child. He acknowledges that the public has been speculating and pushing their own narratives." 

Some Twitter users also came to Moses' defence.

"Not twitter knowing Anele Tembe better than Anele's father."

Here's a look at what others had to say.

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Nelli's father also talked about her relationship with AKA.  He said he was happy for his daughter, but suggested that the couple attend premarital counselling. 

“I knew Kiernan loved my daughter, but their enduring companionship needed more than love. It had to be premised and embedded on a Godly foundation.”

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