The Ebulandzeni community had thought it was just a brother sister love that Sipho (40 years) and Thembi (38 years) had yet it was beyond that when they gave birth to two children(10 and 12 years). Sipho and Thembi share the same father but are born from different mothers.
The two are said to have grown up together and spent most of the time together in the absence of their parents, as their father who owns a construction business at Simunye spend most of the time there (Simunye). It is alleged that these love birds did show signs of romantic affection but people around them never thought it would go as far as producing babies.
Suspicion started when Thembi got pregnant with their first child as she tried to hide the pregnancy and also failed to divulge who the father of the baby was. She is said to have first lied about the child’s paternity as she said the father was in Manzini. As elders of the family thoroughly questioned her about the childs paternity, she then divulge that it was her own brother Sipho ,much to the surprise of the family members.
The family is alleged to have then summoned Sipho to confirm the allegations by Thembi, which he affirmed. It was then that the family decided that this matter be kept as a family secret (tibi tendlu), as it was going to cause trouble within the community. Little did they know that the love birds were taking that as a green light to continue with their shenanigans when Thembi fell pregnant once again. Thembi’s second pregnancy started making rounds in the community of Ebulandzeni as this was taboo in siSwati culture.
“At first we took it as a mistake since the two were living by themselves, with no parental guidance. We warned them to stop what they were doing since they are brother and sister. We were shocked when they had their second child. But I think their main problem is that they were drinking too much alcohol and smoking too much dagga.” Said an aunt to the love birds.
She added that they tried to warn the two about their taboo behavior but Sipho got aggressive as he known for his arrogance in the area. When Sipho was interviewed by Independent News about this matter he threatened the journalist not to even think of writing the story.
“Uke ungibhale emaphepheni mfanawam, utangibona kahle. Ungenaphi ebantfwaneni bami wena?” Arrogantly said Sipho ,while fixing his dagga roll.
“Don’t you dare write about me in the newspapers. Why is it your matter about my kids?” As translated.
Thembi who relocated from Ebulandzeni to Kwaluseni in search for greener pastures refused to comment on the matter, citing that whatever she would say might anger Sipho and put her life in danger. She only confirmed that indeed she has two children with her brother.
Thulani, the father of the two and a prominent businessman confirmed, in an interview with Independent News that indeed his children engaged in a romantic relationship without his knowledge. He said what his children did was shameful and embarrassing to him and the whole Ebulandzeni community. He said he is arranging to go and apologise to the area’s Umphakatsi soon after convening a family meeting.
” Kufuneka bakhweshe lakhaya lami ngoba lelikhaya balemuka sitfunti, benta intfo lengentiwa eveni.” Explained the shameful Simelane.
He added that he has summoned his in-laws(from both his children’s mothers side) for a meeting to discuss this issue. He mentioned that he will invite even a representative from the area’s Umphatsi to witness the proceedings.
Indvuna of Ebulandzeni Umphakatsi Olom Tsabedze said beyond being an insult to the community, it’s also a criminal case. He said Umphakatsi will still have to decide what punishment will be given to the Matsebula family.
Tsabedze said he was shocked to recieve a call from Simelane, informing him about what his children did, but he(Tsabedze) wondered why was Simelane involving Umphakatsi now after such a long time hiding this matter.
“I recieved a call from Simelane on Wednesday reporting that he will be having a family meeting on a date yet to be set concerning his son who impregnated his daughter. He asked for a representative from Umphakatsi to attend the meeting and I advised him to gather all the family members concerned. Yibhomu le.” Explained Tsabedze.
A community police Nicholas Ndlovu said this was a known story around the community but was only spoken in hush tones in fear of victimization.
“We were shocked when we heard about the paternity of the children as we looked at the two as brother and sister. It portrays a very bad image of the community. How will the children feel being a product of incest? The law should take its course before such habit spreads.” Ndlovu said.
Relationship between siblings or people sharing the same surname is frowned upon according to Eswatini culture and laws.
Not their real names*
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