HHP, Sengadi ruled to be in customary marriage
Lerato Sengadi has been legally acknowledged to be the customary wife of the late hip-hop star HHP, also known as Jabulani Tsambo.
The decision was handed down at the High Court in Johannesburg late yesterday afternoon by Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng.
The judge recognised Sengadi’s marriage to the rapper but ruled in favour of his family with regards to today’s official civic funeral in his hometown of Mahikeng in North West.
HHP, who had suffered from depression for years, died on October 24 in an apparent suicide.
His body was discovered by his helper in his bedroom.
Sengadi filed the papers on Tuesday, claiming that the star wanted to be buried at Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg and not in Mahikeng, which is what his family had planned to do without her involvement.
The family argued that Sengadi was not recognised by them as a makoti (bride) and, as such, has no rights to make the requests she had done.
She was also demanding access to his assets, among them his Randpark Ridge home. Sengadi admitted that she and Tsambo had experienced some marital troubles in recent times but stated she remained committed to doing what was required of her as a wife. Her status as his customary wife was primarily what was in question. Her legal counsel countered the claims of Tsambo’s family by sharing various pieces of evidence that showed the basic requirements
If requirements are satisfied, there is a customary marriage.
for a customary marriage were met.
“If the requirement are satisfied, there is a customary marriage” said Mokgoatlheng as he read out the reasons for his judgment.
He implored Sengadi to apply the principles of ubuntu with regards to the ceremony planned for today.
He said there were many parties involved and the fact that people had planned to already make their way to the predetermined venue to pay their last respects had to be taken into account.
Mokgoatlheng reminded the family that they had granted Sengadi permission to attend the proceedings.