Court date set as DD Mabuza family ignores advice on bitter dispute

Millions of rands in pension payout, estate at stake

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

The stage has been set for a dramatic legal showdown next year between the late former deputy president David “DD” Mabuza’s two widows, Emunah Silinda and Nonhlanhla Patience Mnisi over his R44.7-million pension payout and sprawling estate.

The two will face off in the Mbombela High Court in August 13 next year after disregarding a high court judge’s plea for peace and to reach an out of court settlement.

This is despite an emotional warning from Judge Johannes Roelofse that such inheritance battles end in tears.

Roelofse made the plea after granting Silinda and her daughter Tamara an interdict stopping Mnisi from accessing Mabuza’s pension payout at pension fund administrator Alexander Forbes. For years, Mnisi was regarded as Mabuza’s only recognised wife.

She lived with him on their Barberton farm in Mpumalanga and often appeared by his side at government events. Her status as the surviving spouse seemed unquestionable - until the reappearance of Silinda, a well-known Mpumalanga businesswoman who has now claimed to be the rightful widow.