PVL2601 ASSIGNMENT O2 SEMESTER- APRIL 2025
Question 1
Mr and Mrs Mkhize have been the parties to a civil marriage since 15 June 1977. The spouses never made a
declaration before a magistrate, commissioner or marriage officer on the matrimonial property system that
would operate in their marriage. In January 2025, Mr Mkhize informed Mrs Mkhize that he was no longer
happy in their marriage, and he proposed that it be ended. In the divorce summons, he indicated that all the
matrimonial property belongs to him alone because he owned some of the property when the spouses
married and bought the rest of the property during the subsistence of the marriage. Answer the following
questions: (a) List the main variations of marriage out of community of property that occur in South Africa. (3)
(b) Is Mr Mkhize correct that all the matrimonial property belong to him alone? Answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, and
explain your answer with reference to authority. (7) [10]
Question 2
Mr and Mrs Deli entered into a civil marriage in community of property in 1983. Three children were born of
the marriage: two sons, Irvin and Shaun, and a daughter, Camila. Mr Deli died in a car accident five months
ago. At the time of Mr Deli’s death, Mr and Mrs Deli’s joint estate had a value of R1 million. Mr Deli died
testate. His will reads as follows: ‘I leave 30% of my estate to my wife. 50% of my estate is to be shared
equally among the children born of my marriage. I leave the remaining 20% of my estate to Ms Betty, my
lover.’ No further provision has been made for Mrs Deli in Mr Deli’s will. Mrs Deli is 50 years old and has
been a housewife for the duration of the marriage. She fears that she will be unable to maintain herself from
the money she is entitled to according to the will and in terms of the matrimonial property system according to
which she and Mr Deli were married. Mrs Deli approaches your law firm and seeks legal advice as a widow.
With reference to legislation and case law, advise Mrs Deli whether she can claim maintenance from Mr
Deli’s estate and, if so, which factors will be considered in determining her claim. You need not discuss the
ways in which her claim, if any, can be disposed of or be settled.
FOR EXAMS, PORTFOLIO, AND ASSIGNMENT ASSISTANCE WHATSAPP
083 286 8465 EMAIL:
Question 1
Mr and Mrs Mkhize have been the parties to a civil marriage since 15 June 1977. The spouses never made a
declaration before a magistrate, commissioner or marriage officer on the matrimonial property system that
would operate in their marriage. In January 2025, Mr Mkhize informed Mrs Mkhize that he was no longer
happy in their marriage, and he proposed that it be ended. In the divorce summons, he indicated that all the
matrimonial property belongs to him alone because he owned some of the property when the spouses
married and bought the rest of the property during the subsistence of the marriage. Answer the following
questions: (a) List the main variations of marriage out of community of property that occur in South Africa. (3)
(b) Is Mr Mkhize correct that all the matrimonial property belong to him alone? Answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, and
explain your answer with reference to authority. (7) [10]
Question 2
Mr and Mrs Deli entered into a civil marriage in community of property in 1983. Three children were born of
the marriage: two sons, Irvin and Shaun, and a daughter, Camila. Mr Deli died in a car accident five months
ago. At the time of Mr Deli’s death, Mr and Mrs Deli’s joint estate had a value of R1 million. Mr Deli died
testate. His will reads as follows: ‘I leave 30% of my estate to my wife. 50% of my estate is to be shared
equally among the children born of my marriage. I leave the remaining 20% of my estate to Ms Betty, my
lover.’ No further provision has been made for Mrs Deli in Mr Deli’s will. Mrs Deli is 50 years old and has
been a housewife for the duration of the marriage. She fears that she will be unable to maintain herself from
the money she is entitled to according to the will and in terms of the matrimonial property system according to
which she and Mr Deli were married. Mrs Deli approaches your law firm and seeks legal advice as a widow.
With reference to legislation and case law, advise Mrs Deli whether she can claim maintenance from Mr
Deli’s estate and, if so, which factors will be considered in determining her claim. You need not discuss the
ways in which her claim, if any, can be disposed of or be settled.
FOR EXAMS, PORTFOLIO, AND ASSIGNMENT ASSISTANCE WHATSAPP
083 286 8465 EMAIL:
