Cape Town woman fights for furniture after late partner’s family takes everything

A Cape Town woman, Tembela Ntloko, has lost a court battle to secure the return of her partner's family's stolen furniture. Her late partner, who died in May 2026, had appointed his mother, Faniswa Kewuti Nkati, and her sister Mpho Nkati as executors of his estate. Upon his death, the Nkati family removed a refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, kettle, toaster, television, television stand, camp chair, iron, two beds, and a headboard from the couple's Parklands North home, without a court order.

Tembela Ntloko had sought an urgent High Court order to compel the Nkati family to return the stolen items, arguing that her late partner had lived with her as a customary union partner and that she had been unaware that any letters of executorship had been issued. However, the High Court dismissed her application, ruling that the notice of appeal against the magistrate's decision had suspended the spoliation order.

Despite the loss, the court acknowledged that the respondents had unlawfully taken the items and should have been held accountable, but could not execute the order due to the pending appeal.