Daughter evicts late father’s girlfriend of 17 years
With her father’s body still warm in the ground, a disgruntled daughter has no time for sentiment or sympathy, sending the old man’s girlfriend of 17 years packing at the first opportunity.
Baikgatlhi Dimou Motlhabi, 72, was laid to rest on 20 May.
His first-born, 42-year-old Bonolo Motlhabi, has since moved swiftly, showing a turn of speed Olympic 200m champion, Letsile Tebogo would be proud of.
On Monday, 19 days after her dad was laid to rest, Bonolo served his long-time partner, Mmapula Ditshotlo, 50, with an eviction notice, kicking the other woman out of her father’s Molepolole home.
Speaking to The Voice outside Molepolole Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where she had hoped to get legal backing to make the eviction permanent, Bonolo insisted she was left with no option but to turn on her ‘step-mum’.
“She is not caring for the property, the door and windows are broken. She collects rentals for the properties for her own use and denies us access. I recently checked the water bills and realised it was last paid on 1st April when my dad was still alive,” blasted Bonolo, who has two younger siblings.
Having her say, Ditshotlho revealed she started dating the late Motlhabi in 2009, four years after he divorced Bonolo’s mum.
She explained he was allocated a plot in Lekgwapheng ward, where they stayed together, while Bonolo remained in Basimane ward, where her father and mother had lived during their days as a married couple.
“Motlhabi was a businessman running a taxi, we developed the plot together. I was the one responsible for caring for the livestock at the cattlepost. After he died, Bonolo took the bank card, Omang, plot certificates for both Lekgwapheng and Basimane and the Honda Fit car. She treated me so badly and they distributed the deceased clothes in my absence. They didn’t give me anything, and didn’t even include me in his funeral program!” sighed the Lecheng native sadly.
Hitting back, Bonolo disputed this, explaining she took the car for ‘safe keeping’ as Ditshotlo does not have a driving licence.
“She didn’t contribute anything for the funeral, all she says is lies. My dad was in a relationship with another woman who assisted him to get the plot she’s claiming she contributed to it. That woman assisted my dad to build the first house to roofing level and the other house was built in Ditshotlo’s absence; she never worked and all the livestock belongs to my dad,” insisted the irate first-born.
Re-taking control of the narrative, Ditshotlo said she approached the District Commissioner’s office and the main kgotla seeking her share, but was redirected to the Master of the High Court.
“The main issue was that I complained before the Master to be given my share for the properties. Bonolo told me that it seems like I’m in a war and should be evicted from home, giving me three days to move. Bonolo came to me on Saturday and when she came back on Monday she demanded the house keys,” disclosed Ditsholo, adding she was forced to take her clothes and vacate the premises.
She further accused Bonolo of insulting her, claiming the younger woman told her she never knew someone who ‘only offered sex’ could sue for inheritance.
The issue has divided the family.
The deceased’s niece, Gomolemo Motlhabi, 48, is firmly in Ditsholo’s camp, backing up the other woman’s claims of a happy 17-year relationship.
In fact, Gomolemo told The Voice her uncle planned to marry Ditsholo.
“My uncle even asked me to buy the suite for the wedding, he really loved Mmapula and she was caring for him. Even when my uncle got sick this woman took care of him, she needs to be treated fairly. I hope the court will make decision,” said Gomolemo.
Similarly, the late man’s younger brother, Daniel Motlhabi, 67, feels Ditsholo deserves a fair share of the properties.
“I recall he told me she wanted to marry her. He even said it when he was hospitalised that when he got discharged he will be serious with the marriage,” Daniel told The Voice.
Unimpressed, Bonolo, who has her own staunch supporters among the family, dismissed such talk.
“How do you talk about marriage when you’re critically ill?” she demanded, adding the relationship was never consistent, with Ditshotlo once leaving her father only to return when he fell sick.
Ultimately, the court outing did not settle anything, with Molepolole Magistrate Mmamerafe Phologo explaining she is powerless to intervene as Ditsholo has already taken the issue to High Court.
