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

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.

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