Ex-minister wants to adopt grandson born out of wedlock

Former Minister Stella Lukhele.

MBABANE – Former Minister of Housing Stella Lukhele wants to adopt her daughter in law’s son born out of wedlock.

The 77-year-old has filed an application before the High Court seeking to be granted an order adopting a 21- year-old man. She has also applied for a directive against the Deputy Prime Minister’s office under the Social Welfare Department to conduct a socio-legal report to determine if she is fit to adopt Delisile Lukhele’s son. She has alleged that Delisile, when approached, has not given a definite response to her request hence the application.

Lukhele and the DPM’s office have not yet filed any papers yet.
The allegations are contained in Lukhele’s affidavit, merits of which are yet to be contested before the High Court. She has alleged that she is desirous of adopting Sandziso who was given birth to by Delisile prior to her getting married to her son Bongani. She has alleged that since the couple got married at a young age, she took care of Sandziso and raised him from birth.

“The first respondent (Delisile) held out the said child to be the offspring of my son and hence he got the surname Lukhele. My son and Delisile have two other children and their second born and Sandziso live with my son, while the one lives with Delisile,” she alleged.
She alleged that the couple was in separation and there were pending divorce proceedings before the Manzini Magistrates Court. She alleged that she had over the years established a strong bond with the child and he has all his life known her to be his grandmother. She alleged that he knew no other home than hers.

She submitted that even though she is a pensioner, she had sufficient resources to care for Sandziso. She alleged that Sandziso opted to remain with her when his mother left due to the alleged separation with her husband.

She said she is a law abiding citizen with no criminal record. Sandziso, in a separate affidavit attached, consented to being adopted by Lukhele.
Lukhele also applied for an order directing the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths to register the adoption in terms of the Children Protection and Welfare Act of 2012 if the court grants her the application.

Dr Phetsile Dlamini filed an affidavit confirming knowing Lukhele as a law abiding citizen in the 16 years they had known each other.

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