The legal turmoil surrounding the estate of Joseph Shabalala, the late founder of the iconic Grammy-winning group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, has taken a dramatic turn. A woman has been arrested for allegedly forging Shabalala’s will, a development that has deepened the family rift and raised serious questions about the management of his estate.
According to ZiMoja, the arrest stems from a case brought to light by Shabalala’s eldest son, Nkosinathi Shabalala, who discovered discrepancies in the will of his father after his passing. Nkosinathi, who is not part of the famous acappella group, has accused the woman of forging his father’s signature in what he believes to be an attempt to alter the estate’s distribution.
The suspected forger, whose identity has not been disclosed, is not a direct family member, though Nkosinathi has suggested that the individual may have acted in collusion with one or more relatives closely connected to the group. The matter came to a head when Nkosinathi recognised inconsistencies between his father’s resignation letter—dated 2021—and the fact that Shabalala passed away in February 2020.
In an interview, Nkosinathi explained that after discovering the apparent fraud, he immediately raised the issue with his brothers, who are members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. However, Nkosinathi claims that his brothers advised him to handle the matter independently, prompting him to open a fraud case with the police.
At the heart of the case is the will, which remains under investigation. Nkosinathi has not disclosed the contents of the will or indicated who may have been excluded, suggesting that the situation is complex and sensitive. Due to the alleged forgery, Shabalala’s estate has not yet been settled, and the process of winding it up remains stalled until the legal proceedings are concluded.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that a 40-year-old woman was arrested in Durban last year on charges of fraud. The woman has since appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court, where the case is ongoing. The police are continuing their investigation into the matter, and further developments are expected as the criminal case progresses.
Joseph Shabalala, who passed away in 2020, was a towering figure in the music world, with Ladysmith Black Mambazo bringing South African Zulu choral music to a global audience. His death has left a significant void, and the ongoing dispute over his estate only adds to the complications surrounding his legacy.
With the matter now under legal scrutiny, all eyes are on the court to determine the rightful distribution of Shabalala’s estate and address the serious allegations of fraud. The outcome of this case could have lasting implications for both the family and the future of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a group that has shaped the cultural landscape of South Africa and beyond.
As the investigation unfolds, the Shabalala family and fans alike will be watching closely to see how the matter is resolved—and whether justice will be served in the preservation of the family’s legacy.
