South Africa Case Law

D.C.M v C.C.M (1235/22)

D.C.M v C.C.M (1235/22) [2025] ZASCA 55; [2025] 3 All SA 291 (SCA) (9 May 2025)

Court

Supreme Court of Appeal

Case number

1235/22

Judges

Zondi, Keightley, Coppin, Phatshoane, Bloem

The Supreme Court of Appeal held that where parties declare the commencement value of their estates in an antenuptial contract, such declaration is contractually binding and serves as conclusive proof of the commencement value for accrual calculations. Section 6(3) of the Matrimonial Property Act applies only where no value is declared, in which case the contract or statement serves as prima facie proof. The applicant did not plead any recognised common law grounds to attack the contract. The CPI-adjusted commencement value of the respondent's estate was R129 million, while the value at disso…

Source excerpt

• Accrual System
• Antenuptial Contract
• Matrimonial Property Act
• Commencement Value
• Proof Of Estate Value

R.V.B v J.V.B

R.V.B v J.V.B [2024] ZAFSHC 378; 2025 (4) SA 297 (FB) (19 November 2024)

Court

Free State High Court, Bloemfontein

Case number

A92/2024

Judges

Chesiwe, Greyling-Coetzer

High Court held that EB applies to pending divorce proceedings and allowed a spouse to amend her counter-claim to seek redistribution under section 7(3).

• Divorce Act Section 7 3
• Redistribution Order
• Constitutional Invalidity
• Antenuptial Contract
• Matrimonial Property Act
• Pending Divorce Litigation

B.B v L.B and Others (15788/2024)

B.B v L.B and Others (15788/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 359 (11 November 2024)

Court

Western Cape High Court, Cape Town

Case number

15788/2024

Judge

Van Den Berg AJ

High Court dismissed an application to set aside an antenuptial contract, holding that material disputes of fact made the matter unsuitable for motion proceedings.

• Antenuptial Contract
• Dispute Of Fact
• Motion Proceedings
• Costs Order
• Fraud Allegations
• Antenuptial-contract

N.P v L.P (557/2019)

N.P v L.P (557/2019) [2024] ZALMPPHC 208 (5 June 2024)

Court

Limpopo High Court, Polokwane

Case number

557/2019

Judge

Naude-Odendaal

The court held that the parties’ civil marriage replaced the customary marriage, upheld their antenuptial contract, and dismissed rehabilitative maintenance.

• Customary Marriage
• Civil Marriage
• Antenuptial Contract
• Matrimonial Property Regime
• Rehabilitative Maintenance
• Customary-marriage

M.R v M.T (HCA38/2022)

M.R v M.T (HCA38/2022) [2024] ZALMPPHC 45 (6 May 2024)

Court

Limpopo High Court, Polokwane

Case number

HCA38/2022

Judges

Kganyago, Mathabathe

Appeal upheld in a divorce matter; the High Court found the antenuptial contract valid and enforceable and replaced the court a quo’s order.

• Customary Marriage
• Antenuptial Contract
• Matrimonial Property Regime
• Division Of Estate
• Irretrievable Breakdown
• Appeal Procedure

J.S.N v T.H.N (2229/2017)

J.S.N v T.H.N (2229/2017) [2024] ZAECQBHC 86 (26 March 2024)

Court

Eastern Cape High Court, Gqeberha

Case number

2229/2017

Judge

M Makaula

The High Court held that the parties had entered a valid customary marriage after lobola and traditional ceremonies, and ordered the plaintiff to pay costs.

• Recognition Of Customary Marriage
• Matrimonial Property Regime
• Antenuptial Contract
• Consent Under Customary Law
• Customary-marriage
• Lobola

Du Preez and Others v Master of the High Court and Others (45184/2021)

Du Preez and Others v Master of the High Court and Others (45184/2021) [2024] ZAGPPHC 299 (26 February 2024)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

45184/2021

Judge

Mkhabela

The court held that a divorce settlement order conflicted with the deceased’s will and amounted to a revocation under section 2A(c) of the Wills Act.

• Revocation Of Will
• Divorce Settlement Agreement
• Interpretation Of Court Order
• Antenuptial Contract
• Administration Of Estates
• Testamentary Intention

Mashisane v Mhlauli (903/2022)

Mashisane v Mhlauli (903/2022) [2023] ZASCA 176 (14 December 2023)

Court

Supreme Court of Appeal

Case number

903/2022

Judges

Mbatha, Mothle, Hughes, Weiner, Keightley

The Supreme Court of Appeal held that material disputes of fact made motion proceedings inappropriate in a customary-marriage declarator dispute, and dismissed the application.

• Customary Marriage
• Declaratory Relief
• Dispute Of Fact
• Antenuptial Contract
• Registration Of Marriage
• Customary-marriage

J.M.S v M.M.A.N

J.M.S v M.M.A.N [2023] ZAGPPHC 521; 40230/2020 (21 June 2023)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

40230/2020

Judge

L.A. Retief

The High Court refused a late application to amend pleadings after evidence closed, finding the delay caused prejudice that costs could not cure.

• Amendment Of Pleadings
• Customary Marriage
• Division Of Joint Estate
• Antenuptial Contract
• Matrimonial Property Act
• Prejudice And Injustice

AG v YG (3932/2016)

AG v YG (3932/2016) [2023] ZAWCHC 147 (15 June 2023)

Court

Western Cape High Court, Cape Town

Case number

3932/2016

Judge

J Cloete

High Court divorce judgment on maintenance, an antenuptial-contract payment, and disputed funds held in trust, with limited maintenance relief refused.

• Antenuptial Contract
• Personal Maintenance
• Division Of Assets
• Fraudulent Transfer
• Costs Order
• Divorce