Daughter wants Eleanor declared dead
MBABANE- The only surviving child of Eleanor Mbhamali, who disappeared 24 years ago, wants her to be presumed dead. Eleanor, who was a member of the Swaziland National Council now known as Liqoqo, disappeared on September 3, 1996. According to previous media reports, she was last seen leaving a hotel situated in Mbabane after spending a night. Eleanor, who was a well- known businesswoman operating a jewellery shop in Mbabane was the wife of former Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker Petros Mbhamali, who is now late. Her daughter, Lungile Mbhamali has since moved an application at the High Court where she is seeking an order declaring her ( Eleanor), born on April 25, 1938, to have died.
DISAPPEARANCE
She is also seeking an order directing the office of the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages to enter into the register that Eleanor was presumed to have died by virtue of her disappearance for a period in excess of 24 years.
Lungile is further praying for an order directing that the estate of Eleanor be wound up under the office of the Master of the High Court.
In her application, Lungile informed the court that she was the biological daughter of Eleanor and Petros. She submitted that it was pertinent to enlighten the court about the background of her mother’s disappearance. The applicant ( Lungile) informed the court that her parents got married on October 3, 1969, and his father passed away on April 19, 2011.
She narrated to the court that on September 3, 1996, her mother left for work in the early hours with the promise of returning home later on the day after knocking off from work. “On that fateful evening she never came back. My late father went around looking for her and a search party was commissioned, but the search was in futility.
“My father reported to the police where upon a missing person file was opened and an investigation ensued and it has been ongoing for the past 24 years,” submitted the applicant. Lungile went on to tell the court that, notwithstanding an all- out search party which combed the four corners of the Kingdom of Eswatini, there was no trace of her mother. According to the applicant, posters were placed strategically in all towns and other convenient places so that members of the public could help to find her mother. “At the time my father passed away in 2011, there was still not a slightest trace of my mother and no hint as to her whereabouts. Her disappearance even dominated the local newspapers for years, but there was still no trace of her,” said Lungile. She highlighted that after the demise of his father and sister, she had taken further steps by advertising in the local newspapers, hoping that maybe someone would come through with information that would lead them to the whereabouts. “While my father was still alive we tried carrying out our own investigations, but nothing came out of it. It is 10 years since my father passed on with a heavy heart and my mother is still missing,” contended Lungile. The matter is still pending in court and the respondents are yet to file their papers. Appearing for Lungile is Mlungisi Khumalo of Khumalo Attorneys, Madlenya House in Mbabane.
Eleanor was a member of the Swaziland National Council now known as Liqoqo”