Envoy’s family accuse ex-wife of fraudulent claim on state pension

Master recalls letter of appointment until dispute is resolved

The family of SA’s late ambassador to Finland, Mangaliso Bam, not only regard his death as “suspicious“, but have also laid complaints of fraud and theft against his ex-wife.

Bam, who was from Mthatha, was found dead in his Midrand flat in November.

In a letter to the Government Employees Pension Fund, the family’s lawyers say that Bam, who worked for the department of international relations and co-operation (Dirco) for more than two decades, might have been poisoned.

The Dispatch has seen a copy of this letter, which was written by Gauteng-based lawyer Siza Ngingwana. The letter is dated June 10.

Nelisiwe Bam, Bam’s sister, told the Dispatch her brother collapsed and died, and both the timing and the way the body began decomposing were suspicious.

“His death has shocked the family and we suspect someone has poisoned him. Within four days after his death, his body changed and he was swelling,” said Nelisiwe.

Bam, 49, was buried in Mthatha.

According to the letter, Bam’s ex-wife, Princess Mdlalo, and a number of children went to claim his pension from the government in January.

A letter to appoint her as executor was approved by the master of the court, according to the letter. However, this approval was withdrawn in

March.

Nelisiwe said the family was seeking to challenge this decision.

“We have since laid charges of fraud and theft against his exwife after she misrepresented herself as his surviving spouse and the executor of his estate. My brother and her were divorced in September 2017,” she said.

Mdlalo refused to comment when contacted by the Dispatch on Monday.

“I would rather not,” she said.

She first wanted the Dispatch to send questions via e-mail, but changed her mind, saying, “Let me not comment.”

The Dispatch has seen Bam’s death certificate, where it is stated that he is a divorcee.

Nelisiwe said her brother joined Dirco in the 1990s and worked there for more than 20 years.

In the letter to the pension fund Bam’s mother, Nomancube, said they were trying to secure paternity tests for all the children.

Nomancube told her lawyer that some of the children claiming Bam’s pension payout were unknown to her.

The letter to the fund further states that: “It is our instructions to advise that Ms Princess Lillian Bam has no legal right to claim or receive a pension payment from the deceased estate of late Mangaliso Bam as [she] has been divorced from the deceased four years ago.”

A document concerning Bam’s estate from the department of justice and constitutional development, signed March 2 2020, was sent to Mdlalo’s lawyers.

The document says Mdlalo has “failed to disclose all children of the deceased” and has failed to disclose all assets of the deceased.

“The letter of appointment issued on January 20 2020 is hereby recalled by the Master for cancellation until dispute is resolved.”

The Bam family has since laid a complaint of fraud and theft against Mdlalo.

“There’s a criminal case of fraud and theft that has been opened by Mrs Jillian Nomancube Bam against Ms Princess

Lillian Mdlalo regarding her false declaration to be the legitimate wife of the deceased, claiming death benefits of the deceased and other falsification of information.”

Gauteng Hawks spokesperson captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu confirmed the case had been opened.

“This office confirms a fraud and theft case docket was opened in April for investigation,” he said.

“Kindly note that we are yet to receive reports from respective departments where the alleged perpetrator allegedly claimed the deceased estate in order to finalise our investigation on this matter.

“Once the investigation is finalised the docket will be transferred to the NPA for a decision,” said Mulamu.

In the letter ... Bam’s mother said they were trying to secure paternity tests for all the children