Daily Sun (May 27 2014) - WHEN Dieketseng had a stroke Jerry left the house and moved in with Connie. Then Jerry fell ill and he moved back into the house with Dieketseng.
NOW JERRY IS DEAD AND THE TWO WIDOWS ARE FIGHTING OVER OWNERSHIP OF THE HOUSE.
Before the funeral, Connie moved into the house with Dieketseng and the two women mourned the death of their husband together. But after the funeral, which took place last week, Connie refused to move out, claiming she owned the house. But the community of Katlehong in Ekurhuleni are standing squarely behind Dieketseng.
On Sunday, residents moved Connie and her belongings out of the house and put them on the street. Speaking on behalf of the community, resident Emmanuel Matlhakaru said Dieketseng (63) must stay in the house.
"Dieketseng has been in the house for 20 years. Jerry left Dieketseng to live with Connie. How can she take the house from this poor woman?" he said.
"Dieketseng was Jerry's first wife, his traditional wife and she should live in the house."
The trouble started ten years ago when Jerry Malebatsane (59) moved out of the house he shared with Dieketseng Mahloko (63). They had been happily living together for 20 years but Dieketseng suffered a stroke and Jerry moved in with his girlfriend, Connie Malebatsane (54).
In this time Jerry and Connie got legally married but Jerry himself then fell ill. When he finally became so ill he expected to die, he moved back into the house with Dieketseng. Only ten days later he died - and the trouble began.
Connie claims the house belongs to her because she was married to Jerry in community of property. She insists Dieketseng has to move out. Dieketseng claims she and Jerry got the house while they were still together and the house belongs to her.
A resident who didn't want to be named said the community won't allow Connie to live in the house. "Even if she has papers to prove she owns the house, we don't want her to live here. She's taking advantage of the situation because Dieketseng can't fight back. We will fight for Dieketseng. I swear it will be war if Connie comes to live here," said the resident.
Connie said she has been humiliated by residents, who threw her belongings on the street. "This is a family matter. They must leave us alone to solve the problem," she said.
Yesterday, Connie applied for a court order at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court. "Cops will deliver the papers to Dieketseng. I'm scared but I will eventually go and live there," said Connie.
Dieketseng's son Tsidiso Malebane said his mum was traumatised. "My mum suffered while our father was still alive now she is suffering again," he said.
"This is too much. Where are we going to live if we are thrown out of the house?"
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