The family of the late South African deputy president, David Dabede Mabuza, is fighting in court over who should benefit from his massive R44.7 million pension payout.
Family embroiled in heated dispute over his pension
Mabuza, who passed away on 3 July 2025 at the age of 64 after a short illness, left behind a complex family situation. His pension benefits are currently set to be paid to his wife, Nonhlanhla Patience Mnisi, through South Africa’s largest insurer, Alexander Forbes.
However, the payout is being challenged by his daughter, Tamara Silinda, who is a first-year medical student at the University of Cape Town.
Silinda is the child of Mabuza and her mother, born outside of his marriage. She has applied to court to claim part of the pension, arguing that she still depends on the financial support her father had been providing before his death.
In her affidavit, Silinda explained:
“The sudden demise of my father resulted in my loss of support and basic necessities, including tuition [fees], exacerbating my financial vulnerability.”
She is requesting interim maintenance support of R40,000 per month, which would cover school fees, accommodation, and a living allowance.
Silinda and her mother are also questioning the legitimacy of Mnisi’s marriage certificate.
They claim that Mabuza was still married to Silinda’s mother under customary law at the time of his death and argue that a valid marriage cannot be registered after someone has passed away.
The legal battle does not only involve Silinda. Other family members — Mabuza’s children, Mxolisi David Jr, Lindeni Innocentia, Mandisa Vanessa, Nkosinathi, Angela, and Fezile — have also been listed as respondents in the case.
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The matter will be heard at the Mpumalanga High Court on Tuesday, 23 September 2025 at 09:00 SAST.
The court will determine whether Silinda’s request for monthly support can be granted and whether Mnisi can remain the sole beneficiary of the R44.7 million pension fund.
If the court sides with Silinda, it could set an important legal precedent for how pensions of high-ranking public officials are divided, especially when there are children born outside of marriage who remain financially dependent.
For now, the family remains divided, with the potential for months of legal wrangling ahead.