Times Of Swaziland: JUDGE: SENATOR JIMMY’S WIFE DIDN’T TELL WHOLE STORY

JUDGE: SENATOR JIMMY’S WIFE DIDN’T TELL WHOLE STORY
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BY MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE  on 25/02/2021 00:10:00


MBABANE- “It seems your client did not tell you the whole story.”
This comment was made by Judge Titus Mlangeni in the matter between the wife of
the late Senator Jimmy Jameson Hlophe and his (senator) alleged live-in-lover
Bonisile Gwebu.
The judge yesterday noted that among the items that the wife, Elizabeth Hlophe,
wanted from Gwebu and the late senator’s son, Andile Hlophe, was a Toyota
Fortuner, but she (Elizabeth) did not mention the vehicle’s registration
number.
“Your client did not tell you about her life with the deceased. If she did not
know the number plate of the car, it says something. She did not tell you the
whole story. In future, she must take the court into her confidence,” said
Judge Mlangeni.
In response, Elizabeth’s attorney, Noncedo Ndlangamandla, informed the court
that her client told her everything about her relationship with the deceased,
hence she mentioned in her papers that the late senator resided with Gwebu at
Sigcineni.
Possession
Ndlangamandla said it was for that reason that most of the documents belonging
to the deceased were in Gwebu’s possession.
“The issue of the motor vehicle, My Lord, has already been settled between the
parties. There are some concessions which have been made in the matter,”
submitted Ndlangamandla.
Through their attorneys identified as Masondo, Gwebu and Andile informed the
court that they were opposing the application.
Masondo informed the court that they would be filling comprehensive papers
outlining why they were opposed to the granting of the orders being sought by
Elizabeth.
The applicant (Elizabeth) has taken Gwebu and Andile to the High Court, accusing
them of refusing to hand over some of the assets belonging to her husband.
Elizabeth wants the court to interdict the respondent from disposing of the
assets of the late Jimmy, in particular the Toyota Fortuner.
She is also praying for an order directing the duo to forthwith surrender all
the assets of the late Jimmy to her, pending the appointment of the executor of
his estate.
Surviving
In her application, Elizabeth submitted that she was the surviving spouse of the
late Jimmy, having been married to him in terms of civil rites and in community
of property on May 16, 1969.
“Prior to his passing, my husband was in a relationship with the second
respondent (Bonsile) and at times, he resided with her at our other home at
Sigcineni in the Manzini Region,” alleged the applicant (Elizabeth).
These are allegations whose veracity is still to be tested in court.
She alleged that after her husband passed away, Gwebu had been in possession of
assets including his (Jimmy) motor vehicles, a tractor and bank accounts as well
as personal documents belonging to the deceased.
According to Elizabeth, Gwebu was refusing to hand over same to her as Jimmy’s
wife.
Elizabeth alleged that on February 18, 2021, she received information from one
of her sons that Andile had advertised her husband’s motor vehicle, being a
Toyota Fortuner, on social media, in particular Facebook.
The applicant submitted that she went to check on Facebook and found that the
first respondent (Andile) had indeed advertised the motor vehicle and he was
selling same for the sum of E540 000. “Upon further enquiry and to my surprise
and dismay, I further learnt that Bonsile (Gwebu) has been withdrawing monies
from the accounts of the deceased from the time he was admitted to hospital
around January 5, 2021, despite the estate of the deceased having been reported
with the master of the High Court,” submitted the applicant.
Advised
She averred that she had been advised and verily believed that her husband’s
bank cards were in Gwebu’s possession and she was allegedly the one who was
making the unlawful withdrawals from his bank accounts.
The matter returns to court for arguments on March 5, 2021.