Smokey’s sons sue administrator of his estate, 36 years after father’s death

Almost 36 years after his death, the family of artiste and journalist, Edwin Haakulipa Smokey Hangala, has found themselves embroiled in a legal dispute over the administration of their father’s estate.

Smokey, known as a guitar wizareld, died on August 8,1988, aged 38.

Now his sons, Kaluwe Jonathan Haangala and Mate Chilala Haangala have sued the administrator of his estates, Laurian Haangala in the Lusaka High Court, Family Division, demanding that he reimburses all monies found due and taken out of the estate on the taking of the said account.

They want an order that Laurian gives a full inventory and account for their father’s estate for the period September 1988 to July 2001 when he was acting in the capacity of administrator.

The duo also want damages for negligence and interest four due by the court.

The plaintiffs stated that as administrator, Laurian, received rental income that was neither accounted for nor given to the beneficiaries despite several reminders and requests from the beneficiaries.

“One of the assets of the late Edwin Haakupila Haangala’s estate was Farm No. 378a Lusaka which he held with his spouse, Marilyn Lungowe Siyambango.

“The title deed was held by the defendant from the date of his appointment as administrator until January 2003 when he handed it over to the spouse of the deceased,” they stated.

The plaintiffs submitted that the had not benefited from the received proceeds of the sales of the books written by their father, namely Ookuno nku Lusaka aeind The Black Eye.

They stated that Ookuno nku Lusaka was widely used in Zambian schools.

The sons claimed they have also not benefited from received proceeds from the 85 songs sang by the late Smokey.

“It has come to the attention of the beneficiaries that various people including the Defendant’s late brother, Mr. Swithin Haangala collected proceeds of the music without authority,” they stated.

Jonathan and Chilala accused the administrator of failed to manage their father’s estate in its entirety and had neglected his duties by allowing various persons to transact on behalf of the late without authority.

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