Court Showdown Brews Over Lekota Estate as Wife and Alleged Lover Stake Claims

• A legal dispute arose over the late Mosiuoa Lekota's estate following his recent burial
• His wife, Cynthia Lekota, requested curatorship, but it is contested by Luzelle Adams, citing personal ties
• Court proceedings revealed that about R400,000 was withdrawn from Lekota's bank account
• Briefly News' Byron Pillay spoke to legal expert Anathi Phela about how the courts determined who had a legal claim

Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.

GAUTENG, JOHANNESBURG - A legal dispute has emerged over the estate of former Congress of the People (COPE) leader Mosiuoa 'Terror' Lekota just days after his burial.

Affairs placed under curatorship

According to reports by the Mail & Guardian, Lekota's wife, Cynthia Lekota, filed an application to have his affairs placed under curatorship. The move was challenged by fellow COPE member Luzelle Adams, who told the court she has a direct interest in the estate.

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Adams claimed that she shared a property with the late politician and that they had a child together. Adams previously served as a Member of Parliament for COPE between 2009 and 2014. Court proceedings revealed that about R400,000 was withdrawn from Lekota's bank account after his passing, while a safe at his property was allegedly found open and empty.

The withdrawal is reported to have taken place on the same day his son, Kotane Lekota, was appointed interim curator of the estate. Kotane Lekota was appointed on 12 February 2026 and authorised to take control of his father's assets, including property, bank accounts and investments, as well as to manage the family's financial affairs. A significant portion of the estate's assets is reportedly held in the Mosiuoa Lekota Family Trust.

Lekota had been mentally incapacitated

The curatorship followed a ruling by Judge Millar, who found that Lekota had been mentally incapacitated from May 2025 until his death on 4 March 2026. Medical evidence presented in court cited severe cerebrovascular disease and significant cognitive impairment.

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While Cynthia Lekota remains the legal spouse, Adams maintains that her alleged personal and financial ties to Lekota give her grounds to challenge aspects of the estate process. The matter is expected to continue in court as the dispute over the late politician's assets intensifies.

Legal expert discusses instances of multiple claims

Briefly News journalist, Byron Pillay, spoke to legal expert Anathi Phela about how courts determined who had a valid claim, especially when one party was a legal spouse and the other alleged that they were in a long-term relationship.

Phela said that South African courts determine competing claims to a deceased estate by first applying the Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987 or the terms of a valid will.

This will give a legal spouse, recognised under the Marriage Act 25 of 1961, the Civil Union Act 17 of 2006, or a customary marriage registered under the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998, a prima facie preferential claim as an heir.

“A long-term partner outside formal marriage has no automatic inheritance right and must instead pursue one of three parallel legal routes: a claim for a share of the joint estate under the universal partnership doctrine established in Volks NO v Robinson 2005 (5) BCLR 446 (CC) if they can prove a tacit partnership agreement, mutual contribution, and shared profit intent; a dependant's claim under the Maintenance of Surviving Spouses Act 27 of 1990 if financial dependency is established; or a constitutional challenge under section 9 read with Bhe v Magistrate Khayalitsha 2005 (1) SA 580 (CC) where customary or religious union creates a legitimate expectation of recognition,” Phela explained.

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He stated that the courts will weigh all competing claims by examining the nature and duration of the relationship, documentary evidence of shared assets and financial interdependence, the existence of any antenuptial or cohabitation agreement, and whether the deceased's conduct created a reasonable expectation of provision.

“It will ultimately balance proprietary rights against the constitutional values of dignity and equality to arrive at an equitable distribution. The important thing is to have a valid will and any type of relationship must be documented to avoid issues when an estate must be dissolved.

"South Africans have a history of just staying together in formal relationships, but with no paper trail and with no valid or updated will, this is very dangerous,” Phela exclaimed.

South Africans weigh in

Social media users shared their opinions regarding the court battle.

@StephenMap75712 said:

"But Lekota was unemployed for a very long time with no source of income."

@LetsoaloRant said:

"So Lekota had a side? Anyway, may the best woman win!"

@john_sukazi said:

"We need more education about the importance of Wills."

@beukman_j said:

"People must understand that as soon as someone dies, the marriage becomes null and void. Anyone who can prove he or she was supported by the deceased until his/her death can claim against his/her estate. And yes, mistresses can claim if supported until the death."

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@Sunflowerreal said:

"Not even 48 hrs after that, the man was buried."

Ramaphosa hails Mosiuoa Lekota as a servant of the people

Briefly News also reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to Mosiuoa "Terror" Lekota following his passing on 4 March 2026.

The president noted the contributions that the anti-apartheid icon made during the country's fight for democracy.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News