Penwell Dlamini

Penwell Dlamini

Jermina Maredi woke up yesterday hoping she would finally see her mother, who had spent seven days in custody. Her wishes came true.

Francina Maredi was released on R1000 bail after she had been arrested for trespassing but her 18-year-old daughter cannot believe what happened next.

The magistrate who released her mother warned that she had to vacate the family home or face arrest again.

Jermina's father, Moses Shayi, 56, sold the family home in Protea Glen, Soweto, three years ago after leaving his wife. He neglected to tell his family about the sale.

Francina married Shayi in a customary ceremony and they raised two daughters, Jermina and 14-year-old Jennifer. But after he left, Shayi denied ever marrying Francina. Sowetan has confirmed with the Department of Home Affairs that the marriage was indeed registered.

Jermina and her sister were yesterday packing their clothes into boxes, preparing to leave their home of 14 years.

"I don't know where we are going, but we have to leave because the magistrate said she would have us arrested if we didn't," said Jermina in tears.

Her matric studies at Topaz Secondary School in Lenasia have been affected by the court battles, which started in 2006 after her father left and sold their home.

"We have been evicted five times but our neighbours have always managed to move us back into the house," she said.

Her mother has been arrested three times for returning to the house.

Family law expert Nthabiseng Monareng said Francina could get legal recourse as she was married in community of property.

Monareng said a court could force Shayi to give Francina half the money from the sale of the property.