DNA Results: Shocked Javas Sues Socialite

A prominent Bulawayo socialite, businessman, and media personality Babongile Sikhonjwa has reportedly been hit with a US$300 000 lawsuit for costs associated with the upkeep of a 12-year-old who has been revealed as his daughter after genetic testing, also known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test.

Sikhonjwa was recently served with papers of the pending lawsuit by artiste and media personality, Thulani “Javas” Sibanda who is also Bulawayo Chiefs Football Club media officer. Javas is claiming damages for the upkeep of the child he believed to be his for 12 years but has been found Sikhonjwa's after a DNA test. The child’s maternal grandmother, under instruction from the United Kingdom-based mother of the minor, a former member of a local arts ensemble, approached the Magistrates Courts to apply for full custody of the juvenile.

“Javas is suing Babongile for US$300 000 for looking after the child for 12 years. The child’s grandmother recently reported Javas for contempt of court alleging that he (Javas) denied her access to see the child. Then midway through the hearing during court set down, she stood up and said he (Javas) was not the father of the child and produced the DNA results. The prosecutor asked if people wanted to see the results and everyone agreed it was revealed that the DNA test was done on 1 May and it stated that there was a 99% chance that Sikhonjwa was the child’s father.”

When contacted for a comment, Sikhonjwa said he could not speak about a matter which is before the courts, while Sibanda was unavailable at the time of going to print.