... birth certificates can be misleading - master

MBABANE – Thulani Shongwe says his children’s birth certificates state that he and Gugu Masinga were married.

However, The Master of the High Court, Phumzile Thomo, said their experience was that birth certificates of children reflected that the parents were married when that was not the case.

Thomo said some parents registered children’s birth certificates with an entry that the parents were married for a specific purpose to benefit, sometimes the child. The master said if there was any wrongdoing in the Master’s Office, it would be investigated.

Reflect

Assistant Master Makhosazane Mdluli said Masinga’s death notice did not reflect that Shongwe was her husband.

“Shongwe told us he was her husband. Masinga’s family said it was not aware of the marriage. It was clear from the minutes that the families did not see eye to eye. They even took each other to court,” said Mdluli.

“We asked for the marriage certificate and he didn’t have it. We postponed the meeting and gave Shongwe time to get the certificate. The executor could not be appointed. Shongwe failed to bring the certificate. Shongwe wrote to us acknowledging that they were on separation and he asked to waive his inheritance in favour of the children,” said Mdluli.

The assistant master told the commission that Masinga had a motor vehicle, E41 000 in the bank and E133 949.41 at Old Mutual. According to Mdluli, the money is in the Guardian Fund where it is accumulating interest.

Submitted

Mdluli submitted that the children’s birth certificates showed that their parents were married through Eswatini Law and Custom.

She said Shongwe informed the master that he suspected wrongdoing since the children’s grandmother, Busisiwe Nyatsikati, did not inform the master that ESRIC was also releasing funds for the children’s schooling. Shongwe said he could no longer trust Nyatsikati as the executor and with the well-being of his children.

“The executrix is not honest. How are the children protected?” Shongwe enquired.

Thomo said the duties of the executrix were done and the estate had been wound-up. She also said it was critical that the issue of the custody of the children was determined.