The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has ruled that late Congress of the People (COPE) leader Mosiuoa Lekota was not of sound mind and unable to manage his personal and financial affairs for several months before his death earlier this month.
The ruling followed an application brought by his wife, Cynthia Lekota, who approached the court seeking clarity on his mental capacity and the management of their joint estate.
Judge Anthony Millar found that Lekota had been mentally incapacitated from May 2025 until his death on 4 March 2026. This meant he was legally unable to oversee his financial decisions during that period.
The court further heard evidence that a romantic partner transferred substantial sums of money from his accounts while he was in a vulnerable condition.
The judgment noted that the withdrawals required explanation, particularly as some transactions were made even after legal proceedings regarding his mental capacity had begun.
The court has referred aspects of the matter to relevant professional bodies for further consideration.
Lekota, a veteran anti-apartheid activist and former defence minister, died at the age of 77.