Mandoza's widow refutes 'estate fraud' reports
The family of late kwaito star Mandoza have denied media reports that the star’s estate was being defrauded during an urgent press conference held in Johannesburg on Tuesday morning.
Mandoza’s family hit out at a recent Sunday World report‚ which claimed that the musician’s manager Kevin Ntaopane and the People’s Poet Mzwakhe Mbuli allegedly wrote a letter to the Music Association of South Africa (Masa)‚ requesting funds to bankroll the star’s company Nkalakatha Records.
The report further claimed that Kevin was given the boot after Mandoza’s widow‚ Mpho‚ discovered the letter as she knew nothing about it and didn’t approve it.
The paper quoted Mpho as saying that she was “shell shocked” by the news of the letter.
The report also quoted Masa founder Tebogo Sithathu as saying that he was shocked to hear Mpho knew nothing about the letter and that it was “fraud“.
Speaking at the press conference‚ Mpho denied the claims as well as speaking to the newspaper.
“I didn’t do any interviews with any papers. People who know me will confirm that I will never such things. People just want there to be bad blood between myself‚ Kevin and uBhut’ Mzwakhe. Please leave me alone and allow my husband to rest in peace‚” she said.
Mpho also denied accusing Mzwakhe or Kevin of defrauding her family.
Mandoza’s manager Kevin Ntaopane was present at the press conference but did not comment on the allegations.
“I am actually speechless and don’t know what to say about the accusations‚” said Kevin.
Mandoza’s uncle Mzwakhe Tshabalala urged the media to direct all queries and questions to him in future‚ and not to Mpho.
“I’m saddened by the stories that emerged over the weekend regarding my nephew. Please also call me with any questions and not our makoti until she is able to do anything‚” he said.
Mandoza died a month ago after a long-standing battle with cancer.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE shortly after the press conference Sunday World stood by its story.
“Anyone who claims to have not spoken to our reporter is telling a serious fib. Sunday World stands by its story‚” said the paper’s editor Abdul Milazi.
