The family of the late singer Zahara is in conflict with her fiancé, Mpho Xaba, who had planned to marry her before she passed away. The legendary artist and Mpho had a ‘lobola celebration’ with their loved ones shortly before she became ill and was hospitalized.
However, Zahara’s family claims that Mpho is not their daughter’s husband because he did not complete the lobola payment. A family insidertold this publication that that Mpho is being ignored despite his devotion and commitment.
The insider said that the family does not consider him as the rightful husband because he did not pay full lobola. “The situation is very bad, they are using his incomplete lobola as an excuse to exclude him,” the insider added.
Another insider revealed that the trouble began at the memorial service last week Thursday, where Mpho was prevented from speaking by some family members who said he was not their son-in-law. The insider said that the relationship between Mpho and the family is so strained that they fear he might sue them to halt the funeral if they don’t involve him in the arrangements. “They are worried that he might do something drastic if things don’t go his way,” the insider said.
The family spokesperson, Oyama Dyosiba, confirmed: “There was a family meeting, and some issues were raised including the lobola issue and the family said that no lobola was paid,” he said. Mpho popped the question to Zahara, whose real name is Bulelwa Mtukutu, in March this year. The couple had announced that they would tie the knot in November. They had a lobola celebration at Mpho’s house in Lydenburg on 12 November, which seemed like the first part of their wedding.
Zahara succumbed to a liver-related disease last week Monday. Her remains have been taken back to her home town of East London in the Eastern Cape where she will be laid to rest this Saturday. Mpho could not be reached for a comment.