The High Court in Mbombela heard arguments yesterday in the dispute over the administration of the estate of the late former deputy president David Dabede Mabuza.

Under Case Number 2026-232976, Mabuza’s daughter Tamara Silinda and her mother Emunah Silinda seek relief relating to the implementation of previous court orders concerning interim maintenance, subsistence and tertiary educational expenses.

Background to dispute

The dispute arises from court orders granted on February 3, 2026, and October 2, 2026, which established a framework to consider and assess financial assistance claims submitted by beneficiaries and dependants of the deceased estate.

At the centre of the proceedings is whether the interim co-curators adequately complied with the existing court orders, particularly regarding the assessment, verification and payment of maintenance and educational expenses.

The applicants have raised concerns regarding the implementation of the orders and the payment of outstanding educational and maintenance expenses.

The proceedings also concern the treatment of competing dependency claims and the administration of available estate funds under the supervision of the master of the High Court.

Legal teams

• Applicants: Advocate Ali Aubrey Milazi Milazi, instructed by Mphekgwane Attorneys.
• Eleventh, 12th and 13th respondents (interim co-curators): Advocate Maphahlele, instructed by Loubser and Loubser Inc.
• Sixth, seventh and ninth respondents: Mthunzi Law Chambers, which filed a notice to abide the decision of the court.

The sixth, seventh and ninth respondents have elected not to persist with opposition to the application and have indicated that they will abide by the court’s decision.

ALSO READ: Mpumalanga conservation project sabotaged: Court awards R306m in damages

“Their position is that the existing court orders should be implemented in a manner that recognises the legitimate needs of beneficiaries while ensuring that dependency and maintenance claims are assessed fairly, individually and transparently,” said Mthunzi Law Chambers’ Attorney Tatenda Magocha who represented respondents six, seven and nine.

Judgment has been reserved.

Deliberation and next steps

Acting Judge Maboku Mangena said he heard the arguments from all parties but would deliver the judgment later, with no date announced yet.

Ruling parameters

The court will rule on whether the interim co-curators complied with previous orders and how outstanding maintenance, subsistence and tertiary education claims must be settled.

Current standing

Until then, the existing court orders remain in place and the administration of the estate continues under the supervision of the master of the High Court.

ALSO READ: DD Mabuza’s life payout heavily contested in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court

Lowvelder will publish the outcome once judgment is delivered.

Mabuza died on July 3, 2025, at the age of 64 in a hospital in Sandton, Gauteng, following a short illness.