'Resurrected' muso in court

Sibusiso John Gcabashe was arrested on Monday and charged withfraud and perjury after he shocked his family and fans when he was "resurrected" on the weekend, claiming to be Mgqumeni.

He appeared in the Nquthu Magistrate's Court yesterday for fraud and perjury, for claiming to be the dead musician.

But Majola said: "I still believe that this is Mgqumeni and I will stand by him through thick and thin. I know that this is the father of my child."

Gcabashe's appearance seems to have led to a family row with some relatives claiming that it was a con.

Mgqumeni's cousin, Nelisani Mseleku, said the sudden "resurrection" of the singer was a well-orchestrated plan to "steal his wealth".

Mgqumeni owned two taxis and his family has yet to receive royalties from his albums as he died without a will.

"Money is the root of all this. We know that Mgqumeni died having not written a will," Mseleku said.

He said Mgqumeni stayed with Majola and their child in a flat in Johannesburg, but when he started feeling sick, he bought a house in Katlehong on the East Rand, where they (together with his cousins and members of the group) stayed.

"When he became very sick, he came to stay with us because he wanted to have enough time to use traditional medicine, without a woman around. During that time, she would visit him now and again until his death.

"After his funeral, she never visited Mgqumeni's home, even when we slaughtered as part of tradition, he hurt us as a family. Mgqumeni's grandfather, Hlalalimanzi Khumalo, tried several times to have him buried at their homestead, but we refused," said Mseleku.

He said his family wanted to bring fraud charges against Gcabashe "for all the hurt this has brought to us".