Melinda Ferguson has spoken out about her very real fear of being killed over her book When Love Kills: The Tragic Tale of AKA and Anele Tembe. The award-winning author and journalist appeared on Podcast & Chill, where she gave the tea behind her latest literary offering…
According to the best-seller, she has received numerous death threats after the release of the memoir.
The book, which has officially hit bookstores around South Africa – documents the couple’s rollercoaster romance and both their untimely deaths.
Melinda has been criticised on social media over the “timing” of the release, which comes amid Anele’s inquest and AKA or Kiernan Forbe’s murder trial.
MELINDA FERGUSON: ‘I HOPE I DON’T DIE’
Speaking to Sol Pheduka, Melinda Ferguson appeared as a guest on Podcast & Chill on Thursday, 25 April.
Touching on the backlash she received from the public, she said: “A lot of people have asked me… ‘Are you not scared of dying?’. I hope I don’t die because of this story. I don’t want to die”.
“There seems to be a lot of people who think this story is going to kill them.
“A lot of my black friends have said that no black person was ever going to write this book…I did”.
Of being accused of offending South Africans over the sensitive nature of the book, Melinda said: “I’m sorry…It is what it is. I had to write about it [death]”.
THROUGH HER EYES
During the episode, Melinda Ferguson shared her perspective of AKA and Anele Tembe’s romance leading up to their deaths.
This included her views that she…
- Didn’t believe Anele jumped to her death at the Pepperclub hotel
- She did, however, think Anele’s failed suicide bid at the Hilton Hotel in Durban was a “stunt.”
- A “terrible mistake” happened, where things went “out of control” before Anele died.
- Believed both AKA and Anele consumed drugs throughout their relationship and the night before she died
- Found it “strange” that AKA did not rush down to see his partner, who lay dying on the pavement
- Anele and AKA had a “toxic” relationship, which involved physical violence from both parties
‘SA’S MOST HATED WOMAN’
Speaking to EWN last week, Melinda Ferguson branded herself “South Africa’s most-hated woman” amid the public backlash.
In a Facebook post over the weekend, Melinda revealed she had been legally advised to press charges against those who threatened her.
She posted: “ I honestly don’t have the time or energy right now. But the laws in our country are strict and clear when it comes to cyber-sulting…
Images via Instagram:
@akaworldwide/ Facebook: Melinda Ferguson
“Ironically, this very toxic ‘ninja keyboard’ mentality is deeply interrogated in my new book. I even venture to say in When Love Kills that social media played a hand in the death of AKA and Anele. I am fascinated to see how it’s playing out right here on this timeline.
After being dragged on social media, Melinda Ferguson hinted that there was an “agenda” at play.
She posted: “To understand what’s going on. It’s in the vested interest of some to discredit me. I get why people are angry, but I am standing firm in truth”.