A 43-year-old man from Ngowane has approached the court seeking an order for a DNA test after a 53-year-old woman accused him of impregnating her 17 years ago.
Sifiso Shongwe appeared before Magistrate Nkosingiphile Maseko, stating that he has faced backlash from community members for allegedly failing to take responsibility for a child he claims he knew nothing about.
Shongwe told the court that Khabonina Motsa had been telling people he was the biological father of her child. However, he denied ever having had sexual relations with her.
He explained that one day, while travelling, he encountered Motsa in the company of another man who stopped him and informed him that they were taking the child to his home, as he had not been formally introduced to his family.
“I was surprised to hear that and told the man that I do not have any child with Motsa, then proceeded with my journey. The two later went to my home but were turned back by my family,” he said.
Shongwe further stated that as the allegations grew within the community, he reported the matter to the Pigg’s Peak Police. He said officers advised him to seek a court order to conduct a DNA test to establish the child’s paternity.
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In her response, Motsa maintained that Shongwe was the biological father.
She told the court that when she fell pregnant, she informed Shongwe, who allegedly told her he was impotent. She said after four months she entered into another relationship with a man surnamed Dlamini, whom she informed about the pregnancy. According to Motsa, the man accepted her situation and agreed that the child would use his surname instead of Shongwe’s.
Magistrate Maseko asked whether she had taken the child to the Shongwe family. Motsa confirmed that she had, but said they were not welcomed. She added that her father was aware of the situation.
Her father, Abel Motsa, was called to testify and told the court that he knew of the child in question but did not know the biological father. He said he had not asked his daughter about the identity of the child’s father over the years.
The court ordered that both the Motsa and Shongwe families contribute financially towards conducting a DNA test to ascertain the child’s paternity.
The matter was postponed to May 5, pending the filing of the DNA results by both parties.
