By Charmaine Ndlela
A bitter family dispute over the estate of the late Deputy President David “DD” Mabuza, who died on 3 July, is now headed to court.
His daughter, Tamara Silinda, has lodged an urgent application in the Mpumalanga High Court to halt the distribution of R44.7 million by Alexander Forbes until her rights as a beneficiary are recognised.
The amount is believed to include Mabuza’s living annuity and other investments.
Silinda is also challenging the legality of the marriage certificate presented by Mabuza’s wife, Nonhlanhla Patience Mnisi, after his death.
The case has drawn in a long list of respondents, including Alexander Forbes Services, the Master of the High Court, the Minister of Home Affairs, the President of South Africa, and the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA), which manages pensions for public servants.
Family respondents include Mnisi and Mabuza’s other children; Mxolisi David Jr, Lindeni Innocentia, Mandisa, Vanessa, Nkosinathi, Angela, and Fezile.
Mabuza’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated at around R50 million, spanning properties, investments, and his government pension.
Under GPAA rules, pensions are paid to widows and dependants, but beneficiary status must be clearly established.
In her court papers, Silinda claims that her mother, Emunah Silinda, was married to Mabuza under customary law and that the union remains valid, giving them rightful claims to the estate. Pending the outcome, she and her mother have requested interim maintenance of R40,000 per month for living expenses, along with R127,990 for her tuition fees at the University of Cape Town.
Silinda argues that Mabuza’s death left her without financial support, while her mother, who is unemployed, received no provision for her upkeep.
Mnisi, however, has produced a marriage certificate issued posthumously by the Department of Home Affairs, a document Silinda insists is invalid.
‘’We challenge the legality of this certificate as no valid marriage could have been concluded or registered after death,’’ Silinda said.
The matter is set to be heard in court on Tuesday 23 September 2025.
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