MBABABE – The church bells rang, the choir started singing and the invited guests who included family members of two of their beloved persons were coming in numbers.
Dressed in the beautiful outfits fit for a wedding ceremony, little did they know that there was a serious engagement in another office that was to disturb what was meant to be a beautiful ceremony.
They were not going to witness the all-important officiating, in particular, the exchanging of rings between their beloved bride and groom.
In that office, there were members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), the marriage councillor and a sheriff and the agenda was the halting of the union that the family and friends had come to witness.
This is what unfolded at the Salvation Army Church yesterday when a court order was delivered to stop a wedding ceremony between Pastor Thulani Mthimkhulu and Thabile Dlamini.
The order was sought by Zodwa Sisana Mthimkhulu (nee Mokoena) who alleged that she is the pastor’s lawful wife.
As the praise team sang and danced inside the hall, not knowing the latest developments, police officers and members of the family were engaged inside a small office following the delivery of the court order.
In her affidavit, the applicant submitted that she is a liSwati of Fonteyn in Mbabane and is the wife of the first respondent, that being the pastor.
The applicant submitted that she is the first and only wife of the first respondent in terms of Eswatini Law and Custom.
The principal secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs has been cited as the second respondent in the matter.
The Registrar of Births Marriages has been cited as the third respondent.
The applicant said the court had the jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter by virtue of the fact that the parties solemnised the marriage in terms of Eswatini Law and Custom within the courts area of jurisdiction.
Giving a background of the matter, the applicant submitted that on or about October 16, 2016, she and the first respondent solemnised a marriage in terms of Eswatini Law and Custom at Emadulini in the Shiselweni District.
She said they established their matrimonial homestead at Nkoyoyo in Mbabane and thereafter established their permanent homestead at Sihlutse within the Shiselweni District.
The applicant stated that four children, one deceased, were born out of the marriage.
“I state that I have been in a relationship with the first respondent for a period of over 20 years before we got married in terms of Eswatini Law and Custom. I humbly submit that I do not have a marriage certificate as we never registered same,” the applicant submitted. She said she had in the past requested to register the marriage, however, the first respondent postponed the process on several occasions.
According to the applicant, she was persistent to have the marriage registered, but without success.
“I humbly request the court to condone the non-filing of a marriage certificate in the current proceedings. I submit that on or about the period of 2022, I and the first respondent faced marital problems and he engaged in extramarital relationships. I state that the first respondent failed to recognise me and show respect as a lawful wife,” the applicant submitted.
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Stick to your wives – Pastor Ncongwane
MBABANE – As if he was already aware that the wedding had been stopped through a court order, Pastor Ncongwane encouraged attendees at the Salvation Army Church to stick to their wives or husbands if they were married.
The police and the sheriff had just left the church, having held discussions with the couple, parents and the sheriff when Ncongwane entered the hall.
He spoke in vernacular and said, “Lote nemkakhe akahlale eceleni kwakhe.”
He then spoke about how some people were married but the way they lived told a different story.
The pastor highlighted how society has faced challenges including couples who had to welcome children born out their marriages.
He further warned the youth to be careful when choosing marriage partners. Before he took over the microphone, the ceremony had been opened by Augustine Mncube who, ironically, led the attendees in style with a saying ‘Kunje nje nje nje, kwenzubani’, kwenzu-Jesu’.
He announced that the bridesmaids and groomsmen were next on the programme and they made a grand entrance in style. The ceremony went on without any interruption and the only missing part was the officiating of the couple as their marriage was not entered into the marriage register due to the court order.
*Full article available in our publication
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