Legal Battle Over Former Deputy President David Mabuza’s R44 Million Estate

The death of former deputy president David Mabuza on July 3 has opened a courtroom saga as dramatic as any political battle he once fought. At the centre is a R44 million living annuity Mabuza invested with Alexander Forbesmoney that now hangs in the balance as family members and alleged spouses fight for recognition.

A Posthumous Marriage Certificate Raises Eyebrows

The first to step forward is Nonhlahla Patience Mnisi, who arrived at the Mpumalanga High Court armed with a marriage certificate she says proves she was Mabuza’s lawful wife and sole beneficiary. The twist? The certificate was issued after Mabuza’s death, sparking heated debate about whether such a union could ever be legally valid.

Observers say this detail has fueled public skepticism, with many on social media dismissing the claim as opportunistic. “How do you marry a man after he’s gone?” one X user asked, echoing the disbelief.

The Customary Wife’s Claim

Standing firmly on the other side is Emunah Silinda, who insists she married Mabuza under customary law back in 1999a marriage she says was never dissolved. According to Emunah, lobola negotiations between the Silinda and Mabuza families were concluded, cementing their bond in both tradition and community.

She is not only challenging Mnisi’s marriage certificate but also demanding urgent financial relief, citing her and her daughter’s rights as dependants.

A Daughter’s Plea for Support

Caught in the middle is Mabuza’s daughter, Tamara Silinda, a first-year medical student at the University of Cape Town. With annual tuition and living costs of R127,990, Tamara is petitioning the court for immediate financial assistance. Her argument rests on Section 28(1)(c) of the Constitution, which enshrines a child’s right to parental supporteven after a parent’s death.

“It was my father’s duty to care for me in life, and that duty doesn’t end simply because he has passed,” she stated in her application.

What’s at Stake

Inheritance battles are nothing new in South Africa, especially where multiple unionscivil, customary, or disputedoverlap. But this case has drawn sharp attention not only because of the money involved but also because of Mabuza’s high-profile political legacy.

The R44 million annuity isn’t just a family fortuneit represents the late politician’s financial planning, now clouded by legal uncertainties. For ordinary South Africans watching from the sidelines, the drama highlights the all-too-familiar reality of contested estates, especially when cultural and legal systems collide.

A Legal and Cultural Crossroads

As the Mpumalanga High Court wrestles with the case, it will need to balance questions of customary law, constitutional rights, and the validity of official documentation issued under murky circumstances.

For Mabuza’s family, the battle is about survival and recognition. For the public, it’s a reminder that even the most powerful leave behind legacies not only of influence but of conflict.

The case resumes in the coming weeks, and until then, the late deputy president’s fortune and the future of those closest to him, remains uncertain.

{Source: IOL}

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