Bride's father wants wedding stopped

NHLANGANO - The wedding of a 21 year old woman to an electrician is in limbo as her father has run to court seeking an order stopping the wedding until certain demands are met.

Solomon Dlamini (52) of Mlambo in the Maseyisini constituency, wants his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Nhleko of Ecinisweni, to stop his daughter Thuli’s wedding, which is slated for this Saturday at Ecinisweni Primary School.

He accused his sister-in-law and daughter of ‘burying him while he was still alive’ and claimed his daughter left when she was two years old after being requested by Nhleko to pay her a visit.

In submissions filed before Shiselweni Swazi National Court President, Siphosenkhosi Dlamini, Solomon wants Nhleko and Thuli to formally inform him about the wedding and further invite him to the occasion by virtue of being Thuli’s father.

The father is the applicant in the matter while Nhleko is the respondent.

He alleges he fell in love with the respondent’s younger sister, Neli Xaba, and the relationship resulted in the birth of Thuli and his younger brother, Lucky.

"My sister-in-law requested for my daughter to keep her company because she is barren.

"At first, I refused but finally agreed after my late father, Phineous, constantly nagged me to release her because Elizabeth was like family.

"She was taken to the respondent’s marital homestead by her late mother, Neli, and I would contribute E500 yearly for maintenance and school fees," Solomon said.

He said trouble began after the relationship between him and Neli deteriorated to the extent she moved out and went to live with another man.

"Thereafter, my sister-in-law started ill treating me and calling me names.

"She refused with my children when I requested them to attend my father’s funeral on the basis she raised them. This shocked me because I was contributing towards mainte-nance and school fees," he said.

He said she then started demanding that he pay a customary fine for impregnating her younger sister.

"I took a stand, however, that I will pay the fine once I am showed the parental homestead of the mother of my children. Earlier this month, I was shocked when I was informed that my daughter was getting married.

"The painful part is that I am hearing these stories on the street and this is a sign that I am regarded dead even though I am alive," Solomon said.

He also accused Nhleko of allegedly attacking him with a bush knife one time when he had come to deliver the E500.

He alleged he had to seek refuge at a neighbouring homestead before rushing to report the matter at the Nhlangano police station.

"I have been having sleepless nights ever since I learnt I was shut out of my daughter’s life.

"Making matters worse is the history of how my daughter left me when she was two years old.

Had I known this would give me problems, I would have not agreed to let her go.

"I am not interested in the dowry but seeking justice in as far as the custody of my child is concerned," Dlamini said.

　...case postponed

The respondent, Elizabeth Nhleko, literally stood transfixed and did not utter a word when given the opportunity to cross-examine Solomon Dlamini, the applicant.

When postponing the matter, Swazi National Court President, Siphosenkhosi Dlamini, said he expected Nhleko to be ‘fit’ and fully prepared for the matter next week Wednesday.

Bride says wedding goes on

In an interview yesterday, she confirmed Solomon Dlamini was her biological father, but claimed he allegedly deserted them with their late mother while they were still young.

"Where has he been all these years? It is true he is my father, but his actions don’t indicate that because he deserted us and our Aunt, Elizabeth, raised and took care of us.

"When my mother died in 2005 he never showed up for the funeral.

"We have deliberately not informed nor invited him to my wedding because I literally don’t know him in my upbringing. Is he after the lobola cattle?

"One thing you need to know is that my wedding goes on this Saturday (tomorrow) come rainfall or sunshine.

"I want to marry the man I love and forget about the drama my father is causing," Thuli said.

Thuli further disclosed in the interview that she was suppose to go Form IV at Ekuthuleni High School this year but had to drop out because she was pregnant. She is a member of the Mthombe Apostolic Faith Mission.　

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