PVL2602 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE 23
April 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2025
Contents
Question 1: Devolution of Thabo’s Intestate Estate ................................................................... 2
1.1 Applicable Legal Framework .................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Identification of the Deceased’s Heirs ................................................................................. 2
1.3 Calculation of the Estate ......................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Distribution Between Spouses and Descendants ............................................................ 4
1.5 Allocation of the Estate............................................................................................................ 5
1.6 Relatives Who Do Not Inherit ................................................................................................. 6
1.7 Summary Table of Distribution .............................................................................................. 6
References ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Question 2: Testamentary Capacity and Formalities ............................................................7
Question 2.1: Validity of Tsepo’s Will and the Animus Testandi Requirement ..............7
Question 2.2: Bongile’s Suicide Note ..................................................................................8
Question 2.2(b): Does the suicide note comply with all testamentary formalities? ......9
Question 2.2(c): Advice to the grandparents to enable them to inherit ..........................9
Question 2.2(d): Who inherits if condonation is unsuccessful? .................................... 10
References ................................................................................................................................ 11
Question 3: Analysis of the Bequest in T’s Will ................................................................... 12
Given bequest ....................................................................................................................... 12
Question 3(a): Resolutive Condition .................................................................................. 12
Question 3(b): Suspensive Time Clause ........................................................................... 13
Question 3(c): Resolutive Time Clause ............................................................................. 13
Question 3(d): Fideicommissum ........................................................................................ 14
Question 3(e): Nudum Praeceptum .................................................................................... 14
References ................................................................................................................................ 15
, Question 1: Devolution of Thabo’s Intestate Estate
1.1 Applicable Legal Framework
Because Thabo died intestate in 2025, his estate must devolve in terms of the
Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987, as amended. Since Thabo was married under
customary law, the following legislation and case law are also relevant:
Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998
Reform of Customary Law of Succession and Regulation of Related Matters
Act 11 of 2009
Bhe v Magistrate, Khayelitsha 2005 (1) SA 580 (CC)
These authorities abolished the rule of male primogeniture and ensured that customary
law spouses and children inherit on an equal footing with spouses and children
married under civil law (Bhe case; Act 11 of 2009).
1.2 Identification of the Deceased’s Heirs
(a) Surviving spouses
Thabo was married to two wives, Anna and Basetsana, in terms of customary law.
Both marriages are valid and subsisting at the time of death. They therefore qualify as
spouses for purposes of intestate succession (Recognition of Customary Marriages Act
120 of 1998).
✔ Anna – qualifies to inherit
✔ Basetsana – qualifies to inherit
Dinah does not qualify as a spouse because she predeceased Thabo in 2020.
(b) Descendants
Thabo’s descendants are:
April 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2025
Contents
Question 1: Devolution of Thabo’s Intestate Estate ................................................................... 2
1.1 Applicable Legal Framework .................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Identification of the Deceased’s Heirs ................................................................................. 2
1.3 Calculation of the Estate ......................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Distribution Between Spouses and Descendants ............................................................ 4
1.5 Allocation of the Estate............................................................................................................ 5
1.6 Relatives Who Do Not Inherit ................................................................................................. 6
1.7 Summary Table of Distribution .............................................................................................. 6
References ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Question 2: Testamentary Capacity and Formalities ............................................................7
Question 2.1: Validity of Tsepo’s Will and the Animus Testandi Requirement ..............7
Question 2.2: Bongile’s Suicide Note ..................................................................................8
Question 2.2(b): Does the suicide note comply with all testamentary formalities? ......9
Question 2.2(c): Advice to the grandparents to enable them to inherit ..........................9
Question 2.2(d): Who inherits if condonation is unsuccessful? .................................... 10
References ................................................................................................................................ 11
Question 3: Analysis of the Bequest in T’s Will ................................................................... 12
Given bequest ....................................................................................................................... 12
Question 3(a): Resolutive Condition .................................................................................. 12
Question 3(b): Suspensive Time Clause ........................................................................... 13
Question 3(c): Resolutive Time Clause ............................................................................. 13
Question 3(d): Fideicommissum ........................................................................................ 14
Question 3(e): Nudum Praeceptum .................................................................................... 14
References ................................................................................................................................ 15
, Question 1: Devolution of Thabo’s Intestate Estate
1.1 Applicable Legal Framework
Because Thabo died intestate in 2025, his estate must devolve in terms of the
Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987, as amended. Since Thabo was married under
customary law, the following legislation and case law are also relevant:
Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998
Reform of Customary Law of Succession and Regulation of Related Matters
Act 11 of 2009
Bhe v Magistrate, Khayelitsha 2005 (1) SA 580 (CC)
These authorities abolished the rule of male primogeniture and ensured that customary
law spouses and children inherit on an equal footing with spouses and children
married under civil law (Bhe case; Act 11 of 2009).
1.2 Identification of the Deceased’s Heirs
(a) Surviving spouses
Thabo was married to two wives, Anna and Basetsana, in terms of customary law.
Both marriages are valid and subsisting at the time of death. They therefore qualify as
spouses for purposes of intestate succession (Recognition of Customary Marriages Act
120 of 1998).
✔ Anna – qualifies to inherit
✔ Basetsana – qualifies to inherit
Dinah does not qualify as a spouse because she predeceased Thabo in 2020.
(b) Descendants
Thabo’s descendants are:
