The Customary Court of Appeal has ordered an old lady to return her late son’s estate to its rightful heir, her 24-year-old grandson.
The ruling comes after a marathon case that threatened to tear the Selelekeng family apart.
The estate includes two residential plots in Chanoga and Maun, which have divided the family since its owner, Gothatakgosi Garethuse passed away in 2005.
Godiraone Wetsho Dinonyane was only 10 years old when his father died and his grandmother, Rehedile Selelekeng, decided to keep his inheritance for herself.
“Now that I am grown up, I want what is rightfully mine,” he told the court.
In his claim, as well as the two plots, Dinonyane demanded a herd of 13 cattle, which he insisted belonged to his father.
However, the court denied this request as the young man was unable to identify the cows he claimed were rightfully his.
Indeed, Dinonyane was clueless as to the animals branding or even their colours.
When issuing the judgment, Kgosi Christopher Masunga noted it would have been easier for the court had the claimant been able to describe the cattle.
Despite this, Dinonyane remained defiant outside court.
“In the end I will get my cattle. I will go and find them; I will not get tired until I find them!” he vowed.
This case was first heard at Chanoga Customary Court where it was ruled that Selelekeng should handover the two plots and the cattle to her grandson.
She was given a period of five months to carry out the court order, failure of which her properties were to be sold and Dinonyane to receive monetary compensation.
The elderly lady, however, proceeded to Maun Customary Court in protest and appealed against the ruling – an appeal that ultimately proved unsuccessful.
Selelekeng was not present in court to learn her fate, with reports indicating she is currently hospitalised.
The outcome of her case will not make her feel any better!
