Siblings of deceased Milton Keynes mother fight in court over funeral arrangements

The family of Sally Salome Fidelis had been feuding over where their mother should be buried after she moved to Milton Keynes from Tanzania 27 years ago in 1993.

One part of the family, sisters Flora Wilson Mkini, Jacqueline Esther Mkini and brother Frank Wilson Mkini wanted their mother to be buried in MK, where she reportedly had 'strong family links'.

But other brother David Wilson and the woman's husband and father to all the children, Wilson Andrew Mkini - who lives in Tanzania and has never been to visit the family in MK - wanted the funeral to happen in Tanzania.

Axiom Stone Solicitors’ Taffi Nyawanza represented the three Mkini siblings in Birmingham High Court and said the issue arose because Ms Fidelis died without making a will.

Mr Nyawanza said he was first contacted by the Mkini siblings when they applied for an urgent injunction against their brother, who had planned with his father to have his mother’s body flown to Tanzania.

Their injunction was supported by letters from Pastor Abraham Great of the Glorious Church and Milton Keynes and Overseer Bishop Noah Gobvu.

It was claimed, the solicitor said, Mr Wilson stole his mother's passport, forged official documents and booked a transfer of the body on a flight from Heathrow to Dar Es Salaam.

In evidence given in court, according to Mr Nyawanza, Frank Mkini said his mother had made her intentions clear in a recorded declaration that she wanted to be buried in the UK, which was her 'home for so long'.

The court found in favour of the Mkini siblings, with Mrs Mkini’s British funeral set to go ahead on September 17.

After the hearing, Mr Nyawanza said: “It was a great outcome to a complex case. Mrs Mkini’s family, her children and grandchildren now have the chance to say a proper farewell to her. It is a great relief to them.”