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Mafikizolo members Theo Kgosinkwe, Nhlanhla Nciza and the late Tebogo Madingoane

THE family of the late Mafikizolo member, Tebogo Madingoane, wants the popular band to stop using his name.

It has accused the group of neglecting it while going around pretending that the band is in contact with the family.

Family spokesman and Madingoane’s uncle Pepe Dire said the group has neglected the late singer’s ageing mother, but continue to make empty promises through the media.

“Every time they go to the media, whether it’s television or newspapers, they talk about helping his family and they say they’re working hard to help Tebogo’s mother, but they never do,” Dire said.

Dire said the family was angered by the group which has been using his nephew’s name for publicity.

“They’re talking as if they’re doing things in good faith. Last time they promised his mother they’d come and visit and had something for her, but they never came. They must not go around using his name. To the public it looks like they’re doing something for the family, but they’re not,” Dire said.

He said he has been trying to get hold of group members Nhlanhla Nciza and Theo Kgosinkwe through their manager Modise Kgomo since December.

“He (Kgomo) promised to speak to Theo and Nhlanhla and tell them that there is an outcry from the Madingoane family and I said it was okay. December passed and he has said that they’ll meet with us and till today, we haven’t seen them,” he said.

“We need to talk about these things because they have raised Tebogo’s mother’s hopes that they will help her in times of need. Even if it’s just a visit to check on her, they do not even do that.”

The muso’s mother, Sophie “Stokkie” Madingoane, said she was struggling to provide for the star’s son who is 14.

“I have sugar diabetes, high blood, ulcers and asthma. I am not okay. I am sure they will be shocked if they came here to see me. I called Theo on Saturday after a friend of Tebogo’s said I must. He told me that they will come see me but they did not know where I lived.

“I told him he is not telling the truth because Nhlanhla knows where I live as she used to come see me,” Sophie said.

She said she was not asking for the duo to “baby sit” her; just to check on her as they claim they do in the media.

Sophie said royalties from the band had stopped too.

“I don’t know what is happening. I have not received a penny from them in a while and Tebogo’s son comes here to see me every weekend and during school holidays. I use my pension for him and to buy what he needs,” she said.

In 2014, the group won a Sama award. In her acceptance speech, Nciza told fans that it was dedicated to Madingoane but his mother said she has not received the award.

Nciza could not be reached for comment as she was in a shoot and did not respond to an SMS. Kgosinkwe declined to comment and referred all questions to Kgomo.

Kgomo said: “We’re planning to see the family when we are free so that we can hear them out and see how we can help them.” — TimesLive