Ask Athalie Banner

Answers to your questions

Have a question you would like answered? Email us and we may answer it. The questions here are based on ones from our readers, with identifying information removed.

Please note: GroundUp is just a news agency. We are not lawyers or financial advisors, and we have nothing to do with SASSA, Home Affairs, or any other government bodies. We do our best to make the answers accurate using publicly available information, but we cannot accept any legal liability if there are errors. If you notice any discrepancies, please email info@groundup.org.za.

Topic: Inheritance  |  Show questions and answers for all topics

Can a child with a disability claim from their deceased parent's government employee pension fund even if they are older than 22?

If a child is disabled and was financially dependent on the GEPF member, that child would receive a lifelong pension.

Read more

My late father used another child's birth certificate to apply for an RDP house. The child was listed as the beneficiary and has passed. What can I do to correct this?

Go to your housing municipality and confirm that the birth certificate used was fraudulent and then file a formal complaint.

Read more

My father worked at a mine, he got sick at work and passed away in 2001. Is there any way we can claim compensation?

To get compensation, a former miner would have to have got either silicosis or TB through their work at qualifying mines between 12 March 1965 and 10 December 2019.

Read more

My cousin that I live with at our grandmother's house has the title deed of the house. How can I challenge this?

You could go to the Master of the High Courtโ€™s office with all your details, and ask if the Master has granted someone the letter of authority and who it is.

Read more

How can I make my sister, who is the executor, wind up our late mother's estate?

You may have to ask the Master's Office to intervene if the executor refuses to wind up the estate.

Read more

My late grandmother's council house was taken over by my sister, who has evicted me twice and likely doesn't pay rent. How can I get her out?

You can go to your local housing office with your grandmother's death certificate to find out whose name the tenancy is in and request to take it over.

Read more

Can I legally claim ownership of an RDP house sold to me by someone who isn't the deceased owner's legal heir?

If the deceased father did not leave a will, the law of Intestate Succession applies. If the son was not named on the title deed, he is not authorised to sell the house.

Read more

My mother applied to the Tshiamo Trust after my dad died, but three years later she has just been told she canโ€™t. Please help!

Your mother should probably lodge a request for a review of the Tshiamiso Trust decision.

Read more

How do I access my RAF money placed in an ABSA trust account when I was a child?

Get a copy of the Trust Deed. You will then need a lawyer to make a court application to access the funds.

Read more

My father worked at Impala Mine and died in 2008. How do I check if he has any unclaimed money?

Search on the Financial Sector Conduct Authority database to find out whether there is unclaimed money due to your father.

Read more