Dispute Over Dingaan Thobela’s Estate Intensifies Amidst Paternity Claims

The Johannesburg High Court was the scene of a family dispute involving the estate of the late boxing legend Dingaan Thobela. An urgent application was filed by Thobela’s father, Godfrey Thobela, seeking to halt the winding down of the estate until paternity tests could verify the lineage of certain claimants. The application, however, was struck off the court roll.

Godfrey, aged 78, brought ten individuals identified as children of the late boxer to court. He argued for the postponement of estate proceedings pending DNA results to confirm their biological connection to his son. Speaking outside of the court, Bongani Thobela, the late boxer’s brother, disclosed to the Sowetan that Dingaan was often uncertain about the paternity claims made by some of these children.

“From the ten individuals listed as respondents, there are four that remain unknown to us,” Bongani stated, emphasizing, “one is from Rustenburg, and another from Mpumalanga.” He further elaborated that none of the mothers of these alleged children had ever come forward during Dingaan’s lifetime claiming he was the father.

Despite the family’s push for clarity, the case did not proceed, as Judge Phanuel Mudau found the urgency of the matter unsubstantiated. Godfrey Thobela expressed his confusion to the Sowetan following the decision, stating, “These children, we are not sure about some of them. When he (Dingaan) was alive, he would often claim most were not his.”

The urgency was emphasized through concerns over advertisements already circulating for the sale of Dingaan’s properties. Bongani mentioned that they received guidance to stop the Master of the High Court from proceeding with official estate documentation, hence planning to refile the matter.

Bongani also refuted rumors suggesting his father’s intentions were financial. “This issue affects the whole Thobela family,” he remarked. “Godfrey only wishes to ensure the estate’s distribution is conducted in accordance with family traditions and guidelines, not personal gain.”

The ongoing ordeal has strained family relationships. Bongani mentioned incidents where the family received legal papers, with police presence, post the deceased’s cleansing ceremony. The dispute has highlighted tensions over property rights and family legacy within the Thobela family.