By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The family of the late deputy president, David Dabethe Mabuza, is embroiled in a legal dispute over his pension payout.
Mabuza passed away on 3 July 2025 after short illness.
Fullview learnt that the legal challenge centres around the R44.7 million due to be paid out to his wife, Nonhlanhla Patience Mnisi, by SA’s biggest insurer Alexander Forbes.
The application was brought by his daughter, Tamara Silinda, who we understand is the child born out of the wedlock.
The court papers that Fullview has seen, specifies that the money is needed to cover her education, including school fees and accommodation, along with a monthly allowance, all of which her father provided while he was alive.
Silinda, who is a first-year medical student at the University of Cape Town (UCT), cites legal principles that protect children’s rights to parental support, as reinforced by Section 28(1)(c) of the Constitution.
Silinda and and her mother have requested an interim maintenance support of R40,000 for monthly living expenses to be paid.
The duo also challenge the nomination of Mnisi as the sole beneficiary of the pension fund, saying that unjustly excludes other dependants.
The respondents to the legal action are Mnisi, Mabuza’s other children – Mxolisi David Jr, Lindeni Innocentia, Mandisa Vanessa, Nkosinathi, Angela and Fezile (all Mabuza by surname).
In her affidavit, Silinda says at the time of Mabuza’s death, she was married to her mother under customary law and that the marriage is still valid.
“The first respondent (Mnisi), claims to be the deceased’s wife and has produced a marriage certificate obtained posthumously from the department of home affairs. We challenge the legality of this certificate as no valid marriage could have been concluded or registered after death.
“The sudden demise of my father resulted in my loss of support and basic necessities, including tuition [fees], exacerbating my financial vulnerability.”
The matter is scheduled to be heard in Mpumalanga High court next Tuesday, 23 September 2025.