Tamara Silinda, the daughter of the late former Deputy President David Mabuza, has filed an urgent court application seeking a share of her father’s R44m pension fund, reports News24.

In papers submitted on 15 September, the first-year University of Cape Town student has asked the Mpumalanga High Court (Mbombela) to interdict Alexander Forbes Financial Services from disbursing, transferring, or paying out any portion of Mabuza’s R44m retirement fund pending the finalisation of the matter.

The application lists Emunah Silinda, who claims to be Mabuza’s customary wife, as the first applicant, and her daughter, Tamara, as the second. The respondents in the case include Mabuza’s wife, Nonhlanhla Mnisi, as the first respondent, followed by Alexander Forbes Financial Services, the Master of the High Court, Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, the Presidency, and the Government Employees Pension Fund.

Mabuza’s other children – Mxolisi, Lindelani, Mandisa, Nkosinathi, Angela, and Fezile – are also cited as respondents.

‘It is against public policy for a R44m annuity to be paid entirely to one nominee where multiple dependants exist and risk destitution,’ Tamara told the court.

Mabuza, who died on 3 July at 64, served as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s deputy from February 2018 until March 2023.

At Mabuza’s state funeral in Mpumalanga, the family presented a united front, with only Mnisi recognised as the wife on the funeral programme.

However, in her court submissions, Tamara claims she has a constitutional right to demand support from her late father and that public policy rejected the unjust exclusion of lawful dependants.

The funds held by Alexander Forbes should be retained in an interest-bearing account, she requested.

Pending the finalisation of the matter, the court has also been asked to direct Alexander Forbes to pay a maintenance of R127 990 for Tamara’s university tuition fees, according to News24.

Another R40 000 has been requested to support her monthly expenses, including clothing, transport and medical needs. 

In addition, the applicants want the court to declare Mnisi’s nomination as the sole beneficiary of Mabuza’s living annuity invalid, unlawful, and contrary to public policy and constitutional principles.

They want a declaration that the annuity constitutes a patrimonial asset or financial resource of the deceased, which must be made available for the benefit of his dependants.

The matter is to be heard at the Mpumalanga High Court on 23 September 2025.

Full News24 report