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The family of the late Tanzanian actor Steven Kanumba is bracing itself for a second-round scramble for his wealth.
This follows news that millions from his stellar Bongo movie career are set for release to his estate from the country’s film board.
An announcement that, according to Ijumaa Wikienda, has seen the late actor’s father Charles Kanumba file an objection against his ex-wife Flora Mtegoa as to how the cash should be distributed.
Charles has protested a move to award Flora all the monies as was in the first dispatch when the actor died in 2012 at the age of 28 and is reportedly seeking a 50 per cent share.
"Mama Kanumba hakumpata Kanumba peke yake bali mimi kama baba nahitaji haki yangu na mimi, inakuwaje mama Kanumba amechukua zile fedha za mwanzo zilizotolewa na makampuni mbalimbali yaliyofanya kazi na Kanumba, amekula mwenyewe?” Charles is quoted saying.
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According to Mjanaeli, Kanumba’s sibling, Charles’s objection was raised with the board and when his father sent him as his representative to a consultative meeting, he was informed that the family sat in his father's absentia.
“Baada ya kuweka pingamizi, lilikubalika na baba aliitwa na Bodi ya Filamu afike Dar au atume mwakilishi kwenye kikao ambacho kingefanyika Februari 11, mwaka huu ambapo alinituma mimi nimwakilishe,” narrated Mjanaeli.
Mjanaeli explained that, in their 'aborted meeting', Flora was given the green light to pocket all the cash but agreed to offer Charles a small token.
“Nilifika bodi ya filamu lakini cha kushangaza nikaambiwa kikao cha wajumbe wanaoshughulikia suala la fedha za Kanumba walikaa jana yake wakiwa na mama Kanumba na mama huyo kukubali kuwa atampa mgao mzee Kanumba lakini kidogo kama sadaka.
“Baba kusikia hivyo akakataa na kushikilia kwamba lazima wagawane sawa na mama Kanumba maana ni vitu vingi vya Kanumba ametumia mwenyewe bila kumshirikisha,” he added.
Touted as the richest and most talented Bongo star Kanumba, according to his fans, lived an envious life, left behind a vast estate and fat purse from his exploits in the movie industry before his tragic death at his house in 2012.
But according to Mtitu Gabriel, the board chair when the first monies were dispatch to the family, Steven Kanumba was no rich actor and lived a modest life with average investments.
Read Also: Steven Kanumba ‘cursed’ my womb after aborting twice- Wema Sepetu
Mtitu denied claims that the actor left behind Sh30,784,057 (Tsh 700 million).
“Hizi taarifa hazina ukweli ndani yake, ninachojua Kanumba amefariki akiwa na jina kubwa katika sanaa, lakini ni mtu mwenye pesa ya kawaida,” said Mtitu.
He pointed out that Kanumba, at the time of his passing owned Dar es Salaam based production house “Kanumba The Great”, three cars, pieces of land, rented a house in Sinza and backs accounts with unspecified amounts.
Funds towards the actors burial collected Sh2,341,875 (Tsh53,252,000) out of which Sh2,291,301 (Tsh52,102,000) was used.
“Salio ni Sh175,908 (Tsh4,000,000) ambazo zimekabidhiwa na zitaendelea kukabidhiwa kwa mama wa marehemu kadri ya marejesho ya ahadi yatakavyokuwa,” he added.
