Staff reporter
A Revolution For Prosperity (RFP) Member of Parliament has filed an urgent application in court this week claiming a body of his wife.
Malefane Mabote, the Member of Parliament for Tsikoane constituency has asked the court to allow him bury his wife ‘Marets’epile Mabote who was fatally shot a fortnight ago by a hit man who is still at large.
‘Marets’epile was gunned down on the 27th last month at her home in Tsikoane Moreneng.
Two accomplices to her death have been charged and remanded in custody. The main perpetrator is still at large.
The respondents in this case are Poloko Ngatane, Mosa Ngatan, Dennis Ntene, Freeze Ntene and Naledi Burial Services (PTY) LTD.
Mabote in his founding affidavit said he was married to the deceased through a Civil Rights Marriage on the 6th day of August 2010.
He told the court that he established a home with the deceased where they bore and raised all their children there.
He said he had four children in all with the deceased.
Mabote said his wife has left the children with him at their matrimonial home.
He said on the night that his wife was gunned down; his wife was in the matrimonial house with her children.
And the intruder entered the house and shot her to death in the presence of poor minor children.
The court papers said it is appropriate to inform that at the time of the mishap, Mabote was on his way home from Berea when he received a shocking message that his wife was no more as a result of a gun shot by a stranger.
The court further heard that the police attended the scene and after collecting the evidence, they removed the corpse and took it to the mortuary.
Mabote said he informed the family of the deceased of the calamity that had befallen the family.
He said the 1st to 4th respondents came to his home accusing him of being responsible for the death of his wife.
So they wanted her corpse of his wife and the mortuary documents showing that her burial would not take place at her matrimonial home.
Mabote said Poloko Ngatane and Freeze Ntene came to his house accusing him of killing his wife and promising him that they are going to be back to fetch the corpse.
The court heard that indeed they arrived still making the same accusation towards the applicant.
Mabote informed the court that the funeral arrangements were already in process as the burial was scheduled to be on Saturday 11 February.
He said there was a public notification on ACL radio to the effect that members of the public were being notified that the burial ceremony of ‘Maretsepeli will longer be held at Tsikoane Moreneng on February 11 but would be informed at a later stage the venue.
Mabote argued that being a widower of the deceased, he has a right and duty to bury his wife.
He said he also has a right to determine when and where the burial should take place in consultation with the elders of the family members.
He said since the date and venue was already arranged, he had already made all necessary preparations for burial which included digging the grave and building it.
Mabote said he has already purchased a bull and grocery and other collections needed for a burial.
He emphasised that the Ngatane family have no prejudice to suffer as they have not made any preparation.
He said it is therefore imperative that the Ngatane and Ntene families be interdicted from interfering with my rights and duty to bury his wife.
Mabote informed the court that he delayed bringing the matter to court as he was attempting to settle the matter through a less costly forum at the family level but yielded no fruitful results.
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