Courtroom Showdown: Mosiuoa Lekota’s Wife and Baby Mama Battle for Control

A heated legal dispute took place at the Pretoria High Court involving the family of the late Mosiuoa Lekota, a prominent former leader of the Congress of the People. The case centered around who should have control over Lekota’s personal and financial affairs now that his health had declined significantly. At the time, Lekota was hospitalized and battling pancreatic cancer, which added urgency to the conflict.

The disagreement was mainly between his wife, Cynthia Ntombenhle Lekota, and his long-time partner and mother of his child, Luzelle Adams. Court documents show that both women claimed the right to manage Lekota’s affairs, but they had very different views on how this should be handled.

Cynthia Lekota filed an application asking the court to appoint Advocate du Preeze as a curator to oversee her husband’s matters while he was incapacitated. She explained that Lekota’s health was deteriorating and that he was no longer able to make decisions about his finances or personal needs. Her concern was to ensure that his affairs were managed responsibly during this difficult time.

Adams, on the other hand, strongly opposed this request. She argued that she should be involved in making decisions because she had lived with Lekota for many years and had taken on the responsibilities of a spouse. She also pointed out that she had been managing some of Lekota’s financial matters and that she had a close relationship with him, especially after they had a child together in 2010. Adams emphasized that she and Lekota had built a life together, and she believed she should have a say in how his affairs were handled.

In her court response, Adams mentioned that she had been living with Lekota and had shared a home with him in Midrand. She also highlighted that Lekota had introduced her as his partner and that her child was his. Although she and Cynthia had a strained relationship and did not always get along, Adams said she bore no personal hostility towards her.

The court heard that Lekota had a history of health issues, including two strokes around 2018 and another in April 2025. He was also diagnosed with prostate cancer, which required treatment at a Johannesburg hospital. After knee surgery in April 2025, there was an incident when Adams informed Cynthia’s son that Lekota would be taken home from hospital, even though his recovery was not complete. This sparked further tension.

Cynthia shared that she had visited Lekota earlier that year and discussed their shared estate with him. She also recounted a time when Lekota had called both women into his room to talk about their relationship and to express disappointment that they were not on speaking terms. She clarified that she and Lekota were the trustees of the Mosiuoa Lekota Family Trust, which owned their house.

Adams explained that she and Lekota had built a life together and had lived in the family home for about ten years. She stressed that her child’s well-being depended on Lekota’s estate and that she had moved to Johannesburg to be closer to him and their son.

Eventually, both parties reached an agreement, and the court approved a resolution that was mutually accepted. The matter was settled without further conflict, bringing an end to the tense legal battle.