On Wednesday, 24 October the Tsambo family announced the death of their son Jabulani Tsambo, popularly known by his fans as HHP. As condolences and heart warming messages were sent by fans all over social media a storm was brewing.
The memorial service
At a memorial service help at Music Factory (formerly known as Bassline) Lerato Sengadi delivered an emotional speech. While holding back tears, Lerato expressed that she has lost her husband, best friend, comedian, and favourite singer. She also said that she would continue to fight for him in death, as she did during life.
The court case
eNCA reported yesterday, that Tsambo’s customary wife Lerato Sengadi had filed papers to halt HHP’s funeral, and is demanding to know the whereabouts of the deceased remains and that the family return HHP’s hard drives which were taken from his studio.
[BREAKING NEWS] #HHP Lerato Sengadi , wife of HHP has filed papers to halt the funeral from taking place this weekend. Details on #eNCAnow… pic.twitter.com/G6zElAbflM
— eNCA (@eNCA) November 1, 2018
#HHP In court papers Sengadi says she and Jabba were married traditionally in February 2016. She says the Tsambo family has excluded her from funeral arrangements which she has a right to partake in and plan. #LeratoSengadi pic.twitter.com/gktiBVD3CU
— silindelo masikane (@Slindelo_M) November 2, 2018
#HHP Sengadi wants the court to order that Jabba’s remains be returned to her, their matrimonial home and all his hardrives that have his music. She also wants all documents ie: death certificate… #LeratoSengadi pic.twitter.com/5zzP9000sR
— silindelo masikane (@Slindelo_M) November 2, 2018
#HHP Sengadi says there is no alternative remedy but to go to court because once he’s buried it would not be right to have to exhume his body. #LeratoSengadi pic.twitter.com/hX7hxO2t5a
— silindelo masikane (@Slindelo_M) November 2, 2018
#HHP Sengadi says there is no alternative remedy but to go to court because once he’s buried it would not be right to have to exhume his body. #LeratoSengadi pic.twitter.com/hX7hxO2t5a
— silindelo masikane (@Slindelo_M) November 2, 2018
Tsambo family’s response
#HHP In the Tsambo Family’s responding affidavit they say that lobola negotiations for #LeratoSengadi were not complete- a handover ceremony wasn’t done and Jabba had not finished paying the dowry amount. pic.twitter.com/uB8lGHXdki
— silindelo masikane (@Slindelo_M) November 2, 2018
Watch the judges ruling on the court case:
Lerato won the case after The South Gauteng High Court ruled that by law, Lerato is HHP’s customary wife on Friday Afternoon.
Judge Mokgoatlhe ruled in favour of Lerato stating that:
- The customary law act does not make list the “handing over” of a bride as a requirement.
- The law recognises three requirements for a customary marriage: lobola must be fixed, there must be a celebration and the marriage must be entered into”.
The judge went on to state that HHP’s father, Robert Tsambo’s argument that a bride must be handed over in order for a customary marriage to be recognised is over ruled by the law.
“In my view a customary marriage between the applicant and Jabba was entered.” said Judge Mokgoatlhe.
