Zandie Khumalo Backs Jub Jub in Emotional Plea Over Son With Kelly Khumalo
Songstress Zandie Khumalo-Gumede has stepped into the long-running dispute between her sister, Kelly Khumalo, and media personality Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye, voicing support for the rapper’s claims that he has been unfairly denied access to his son, Christian.
Jub Jub took to Instagram on Sunday, 2 November, to vent his frustration, saying he had endured years of rejection and blocked attempts to be a part of his son’s life. His emotional outburst came weeks after Kelly appeared on the L-Tido Podcast, where she accused the fathers of her children, including Jub Jub, of being “deadbeats”. She excluded her late partner, soccer star Senzo Meyiwa, saying she believed he would have been a devoted father to their child.
The Uyajola 9/9 host accused Kelly of deliberately keeping him from their son and turning down his efforts to support the child both emotionally and financially. “I don’t want to go to court fighting over this,” he said in one post. “You know how many times I’ve tried to get hold of you to reach my son. You know how many times your sister [Zandie], [Mhlo] Gumede, and your mother have been trying to talk about this so I can have access to my son. You’re controlling my son as if he’s an AI. I’m not a deadbeat dad.”
He went on to claim that even during his time in prison, he tried to maintain a bond with Christian by sending gifts, only for them to be returned. “I’ve tried every possible way to do the right thing, even offering to pay damages and perform the necessary cultural rites, but I keep getting blocked,” he wrote.
The two have a fraught history dating back more than a decade. Their relationship began in the late 2000s and ended dramatically after Jub Jub’s arrest in 2010. He was later convicted for a drag racing incident that killed four schoolchildren, serving several years in prison before his release. Kelly raised their son alone, and tension between the families has lingered ever since.
Now, Zandie has broken her silence on the matter, telling Sunday World that while she typically avoids commenting on her sister’s private affairs, she felt compelled to speak because the issue involves her nephew. “Normally, I wouldn’t comment on this, but because it concerns Christian [Jub Jub’s son], I feel compelled to speak up,” she said. “I care about my nephew deeply and treat him as my child. When it comes to him, no one can tell me what to do.”
Zandie confirmed that Jub Jub has indeed made multiple attempts to reconnect with his son, involving her and their mother in the process. “At one point, my mother and I were mediating discussions, but unfortunately nothing came of it,” she explained. “Molemo also wanted to come and pay damages at home. He even spoke to my husband, Gumede, who then spoke to my mother. Sadly, that too didn’t work out due to a lack of cooperation on our side.”
Without directly criticising her sister, Zandie said that both parties were at fault for the ongoing impasse. “Molemo and Kelly still have unresolved issues, which are clear from their public feuds. I don’t want to get into details, but Molemo has genuinely been trying and keeps getting rejected,” she said. “I’ve also spoken to Christian about his father; it’s clear he wants to see him, but I cannot take him to his father without his mother’s permission. Both Molemo and Kelly are at fault. They have hurt each other deeply, and they need to resolve their issues first before they can co-parent effectively.”
Social worker Queen Chauke told the publication that Kelly’s alleged actions could amount to a criminal offence if she is deliberately denying Jub Jub access to his child. “Molemo does not require Kelly’s permission to access his child, as he has an equal right to do so,” Chauke explained. “By law, both parents hold 50% parental rights and responsibilities. If Kelly denies him those rights, Molemo is entitled to open a criminal case against her.”
Chauke also advised that Jub Jub could take the matter to the family court and present evidence to prove that his parental rights are being infringed.
Kelly has not responded to the allegations. Questions sent to her team went unanswered at the time of publication, but her response will be included once received.
For now, the family dispute remains a deeply emotional and public one — with Zandie’s intervention marking a rare moment of openness in a feud that has long been fought behind closed doors.
Follow Us on Twitter
