AFTER 23 years of marriage, Ntemi Solani has lost his wife.
This is because his in-laws have taken her back, saying that lobola was never paid!
The 48-year-old from Hostel 1 in Mangaung, Free State, said he and his wife Nombuso Baleni (48) were living happily with their five kids.
The in-laws claimed Ntemi and his family didn’t respect their traditions because they only slaughtered a sheep to welcome her.
Nombuso has been at her family’s home in Mahikeng, North West ever since she went to visit with three of her children in December.
Ntemi said he married Nombuso without her family being present because she was chased out of home when she fell pregnant.
“I’m not working. I can’t pay lobola. I don’t understand why they have done this after so many years. They demand I pay damages for the five children as well.
“It’s not easy for me to be without my wife and kids because I love them so much. I want my family back. I know Nombuso misses me but can’t come home because of her family. She doesn’t have a cellphone, so I can’t talk to her.”
Speaking on behalf of Nombuso’s family, Sindi Magengenene said Ntemi needed to go to the family for lobola negotiations.
“Our daughter can’t stay with a man who hasn’t paid lobola or damages. Without paying lobola he will never see his children again.”
When Sindi was asked if Nombuso was chased away for being pregnant, he denied it and said Ntemi had stolen the family’s daughter.
He refused to give a contact number for Nombuso, saying: “Her husband never bought her a phone.”
