FAMILY FEUD
Nancy Oratile Pelokgosi, a 38-year-old mother of three from Jerusalema ward in Moshupa, was evicted from the family home last week along with her children by her 62-year-old mother, Khumoetsile Pelokgosi.
The case was presided over by Kanye Principal Magistrate Reuben Sebetlela. The mother, uncertain of how to proceed, simply told the Magistrate that she wanted her adult daughter, Oratile, to stay away from her home.
Magistrate Sebetlela patiently explained the legal options available, including a restraining order and eviction, and asked the woman which one she wished to pursue.
The mother chose eviction, stating that she wants her daughter permanently removed from the family home and never to return for any reason. She revealed that Oratile calls the church she attends -
Zion Christian Church (ZCC) - a satanic church, accuses her of being a Satanist and witch, and frequently threatens her, saying that if the mother does not want her on earth, she should return her to
the place from which she was taken, as she never asked to be born.
The Magistrate asked if the adult child had children. The grieving woman responded that she does not send her grandchildren on any errands or to do any chores in her home, as Oratile instructs them to refuse. She told the Magistrate that Oratile should leave with her three children so that she has no reason to return to her house.
'Ke utlwile, go ntse go lekane, I do not want her to come back in the name of children,' she said.
While the mother was addressing the court, her family members, who had come to support the adult child, were murmuring at the back.
The Magistrate paused and asked if they had anything beneficial to add to the case. Khumoetsile's sister, Masego Pelokgosi, stated that they had previously been called to resolve the matter but failed. She added that it was not right for the mother to evict her adult child and her minor children from the home.
'Ga kamoso a swa, kana o swa, ware re dire jang,' Masego asked. Given a chance to speak, Oratile said she would move out of her mother's house, along with her children. The Magistrate asked why she was still staying at her mother's house at her age, and she replied that she did not have her own place. The Magistrate advised her that renting could be a solution if she did not have a house.
Oratile informed the court that she would move to her uncle's place, which he inherited from their late grandmother.
The uncle, Botshelo Pelokgosi, was called to the stand and asked if he agreed to have his niece move in with him, to which he agreed. Magistrate Sebetlela told the gathered public that it has become a growing concern that adult children are bossing their parents around and disrespecting them in their homes. He noted that this trend has caused some parents to lose peace, often resulting in fights within their homes. He advised the family to continue working on resolving their issues and stated that Khumoetsile's application had succeeded. Oratile was ordered to return to Moshupa and accompanied by police officers, to vacate her mother's home immediately.
Speaking to The Midweek Sun, the family uncle, Botshelo, said that his sister did not tell the court the truth. He explained that the matter was never brought to their village Kgotla for resolution and that she had chosen to go to court instead. He mentioned that his niece, Oratile, often had mental health issues but promised to meet with the village social workers to resolve the matter.
Another family member on Oratile's side added that Khumoetsile had problems of her own and could not evict her daughter from the family home. Khumoetsile told The Midweek Sun that her adult daughter even insults people who come into her yard and often asks them if they compare with the 'Satanist' she lives with.