Nothing indicates he is not Mgqumeni, says singer’s family
THE PATERNAL family of Kwazulu-natal maskandi artist Mgqumeni Khumalo, who died two years ago, still believes that the man who recently claimed to be the singer is in fact Khumalo.
Sibisiso John DlaminiGcabashe, 29, was expected to appear today in the Nqutu Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud and perjury for impersonating the late singer.
Khumalo died on December 19, 2009. He was buried the following month in his maternal homestead in the Mpofana area of Nqutu, northern KwazuluNatal.
Two weeks ago, the “resur- rected” Mgqumeni – who was later identified as DlaminiGcabashe – claimed to have returned from the dead.
He addressed about 30 000 people in Nqutu who had gathered to see the “resurrection”.
Khumalo’s maternal family believes Dlamini-gcabashe is an impostor.
But Khumalo’s uncle, Dal- ingcebo Khumalo, said yesterday that traditional healers had predicted his return.
“We looked at his (DlaminiGcabashe’s) hands and feet. Everyone in the Khumalo family has similar features and we saw those in him. His body structure from the neck down to the toes is just like my grandfather’s,” Dalingcebo said.
He said a DNA test and exhumation were the only things that could give them closure.
“At the moment, there is nothing that is indicating to the family that it is not Mgqumeni, so we will continue to stand behind him 100 percent,” he said.
Two of Mgqumeni’s fiancées, who live at the Khumalo residence, also confirmed that it was him.
His wife, Lamulile Ngema, 20, said she was able to identify similar physical characteristics between Dlamini-gcabashe and Khumalo.
Mgqumeni is survived by 13 children and six fiancées known to the family.