Stepdad charges son’s father damages

Leungo Mokgwathi
LASTING LOVE: Seoke and the late Sisi were together for nearly 20 years

A Ramatlabama man has been dragged before the Customary Court by his late girlfriend’s family over P15, 000 he received in damages from his step-son’s biological father.

The family insists that while Gaopalelwe Seoke raised the child as his own for 12 years, he has no right to claim damages since he was not married to their daughter, Tshisimogo ‘Sisi’ Lesomo, whom he dated on/off for over 20 years.

A source close to the Lesomo family claimed Seoke in fact detested the little boy, and hunted down his soldier father last year, demanding payment for raising his child.

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“He eventually found the man, who is apparently from Sefhare and ordered him to pay him P15, 000 in damages as well as P2, 000 for food, which he did,” stated the source, describing Seoke as ‘a greedy man’.

“After cashing out that money behind the Lesomo family’s back, he went ahead and squandered it with his mother. That money belonged to the girl’s family since he had not married their daughter,” maintained the family friend.

Upon learning that damages had been paid to Seoke last month, shortly after their daughter’s burial, the family proceeded to open a court case against him, arguing that by receiving the damages, he had broken customary laws.

The man at the centre of the saga, however, had a very different tale to tell.

Still fresh from the heartache of burying his long-time girlfriend, who passed away on 18 April, an unimpressed Seoke labelled the Lesomo family ‘cruel’.

“From the time when Sisi was four months pregnant, I knew that the child was not mine since she fell pregnant during our separation. Nonetheless, I vowed to accept the child and nurture him as my own, which I have diligently done for 12 years without any support or assistance,” he stated angrily.

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Seoke was equally unimpressed with reports he had hunted out the boy’s father, dismissing such talk as nonsense.

“The Letia family reached out to me after learning that their son had a long lost child who was under the care of myself and Sisi,” explained Seoke, adding he is in contact with the child’s father who has shown interest in being part of the boy’s life.

Eager to have his say, Seoke’s elder brother, Thapelo Seoke, argued that if anyone is to be called greedy, it’s the Lesomo’s.

“This is a matter between three people: Gaopalelwe, Sisi and the other man. Considering that my brother has been caring for that child all his life, I think he is justified in keeping the money for damages.”

When reached for comment, the Lesomo family refused to discuss what they deem ‘a confidential family matter’.

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The Letia family were similarly reluctant to open up, saying they felt the issue was beyond them.

“We have paid our dues and whatever the battle is, it’s between those two,” said a family representative.

Seoke will face the Lesomo family in court next Tuesday (23 May) for the hearing.

Meanwhile, all four of Seoke and Sisi’s children have been under their maternal grandparents’ care since their mother passed away.

Stepdad charges son's father damages
LASTING LOVE: Seoke and the late Sisi were together for nearly 20 years
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