Annuity splits the Mabuzas

R44.7 MILLION: JUDGE ROELOFSE HALTS PAYOUT AND URGES FAMILY TO SETTLE DISPUTE

- Adriaan Kruger

FIGHT FOR CASH. The late David Mabuza, whose substantial life annuity payout could have been divided within weeks of his death in July. Picture: GCIS

(GCIS)

It seems Alexforbes is being painted as the bully who wanted to pay nearly R45 million to a politician's second wife and leave his first wife and their daughter destitute.

The saga has attracted a lot of attention, with the contest for the money erupting only weeks after former deputy president David Mabuza died on 3 July.

The problem is basically that Mabuza nominated his second wife, Nonhlanhla Mnisi, as the beneficiary of his life annuity which was administered by Alexforbes.

Mabuza's first wife, Emunah Silinda, and daughter, Tamara Silinda, objected and applied to court for an order to prevent Alexforbes from paying Mnisi.

The Mpumalanga High Court in Middleburg issued an interim order to stop the payment, urging the parties to come to an agreement.

The court heard different arguments, including claims that Mabuza never divorced his first wife, Silinda, although it was not disputed that they had separated.

Another claim was that Mabuza and Mnisi were not officially married, although they lived together and had two children.