Former kid producer and gospel singer Jamela Vuma, also known as Sgonondo, is embroiled in a nasty family feud with his brother, who has accused him of misusing money meant for the burial of their father Tom Vuma.
Jamela's older brother, Lommi, made the accusations yesterday saying his brother pocketed their father's money paid by Samro burial scheme.
Tom, 71, was found dead in his home in Burgersfort in Limpopo on August 14. He was a music producer who was a member of Samro burial scheme. According to Samro, the collecting rights society paid out R25,000 to Jamela.
Tom was a well-known music promoter and producer having produced music for Steve Kekana, Brenda Fassie, Chicco Twala, and Arthur Mafokate, among others. Lommi said after the funereal Jamela took all his father’s documents, including his will, and brought them to Johannesburg.
“He took the Samro money to enrich himself because he did not pay for anything. Most of the things such as food, casket and tents were paid for by a family friend. He also took a gold Kruger rand coin which belonged to my father,” Lommi said.
But Jamela denied pocketing money yesterday.
“The money that I received trom Samro was used for my dad’s burial and there is a proof that my dad was buried with that money. We gave my dad a dignified funeral,” he said.
“We took all my dad’s documents and put them in a briefcase and they are with my younger brother who was nominated to handle the will issue and to go to the court. Since he is the first born, he feels entitled to my father’s estate.”
amro confirmed that an amount of R 25,000 was paid on August 20. "The payment was processed to Jamela after "Snowy”, deceased's son, confirmed and nominated Jamela to be the beneficiary (Samro has an affidavit). We at Samro had challenges contacting Lommi (Samro has emails to substantiate this). We have, however, at a later stage on the 24th of October 2020 managed to get hold of him," said Karabo Senna, Samro's general manager of rights holder services.
Mokgale Vuma, one of Tom’s sons, said: “Jamela has nothing to do with my father’s estate. He even used his own money to bury my father with dignity. I’m still waiting for the letter of authority from the high court when it comes to the estate issues.”
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