By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Public Protector and law professor Thuli Madonsela is embroiled in a legal dispute over the estate of her late partner, Richard Edward Foxton.
Madonsela claims she has been targeted and subjected to a “relentless” character assassination campaign while challenging Foxton’s 2025 will and seeking the removal of executors.
Foxton’s 2020 will originally bequeathed R10 million in cash to Madonsela.
She has since filed an affidavit in the Johannesburg High Court challenging a 2025 will, arguing that Foxton’s children and the current executor are attempting to enforce a document she believes is invalid.
Madonsela further alleges that documents submitted to the Master of the High Court contain misrepresentations, including claims that Foxton had no children and the incorrect identification of his nearest relative.
These concerns form part of her court application to have the current executor removed and replaced with an independent and impartial administrator.
“I have endured a vicious and relentless character assassination campaign mounted against me in the media,” she said. “I would have continued to handle the transitional challenges that have arisen due to my late partner’s passing in a quiet, dignified, private manner.”
Madonsela claimed that she decided to speak up due to security concerns. These worries, were sparked by an article that was published on Sunday, December 14.
She also raised concerns about her personal safety, alleging that there was an unauthorised valuation of the house in which she lives.
“Within 48 hours of my partner’s passing, an attempt was made to evict me from the place he and I regarded as our main home.”
She added that the eviction notice was posted on her family’s WhatsApp group. Madonsela claimed that she was amid her grief, blindsided by the notice.
“The devastating and traumatic impact of the bizarre attempt to evict me was not limited to just me; my children, who were also with me, were also traumatised,” she added.
She said that her husband’s accountant was behind the eviction and that she never authorised the house to be assessed and evaluated.
She added that the thought of someone who was not authorised being in the property sent chills through the family.
“A security expert advised that I make this information public to ensure that should anything happen to me, this security breach is noted,” Madonsela said.
Foxton, a former public relations executive and founder of Foxton Communicating, died of cancer in June 2025 at the age of 82, leaving an estate valued at several million rand.