Thuli Madonsela claims eviction attempt, raises estate irregularity concerns

Former Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, has revealed that she allegedly faced an attempt to evict her from the home she shared with her late partner, Richard Edward Foxton, just days after his death, an experience she says left her and her children traumatised while they were still in mourning.

Madonsela spoke during an online media briefing on Wednesday, addressing ongoing concerns for her personal safety and raising serious questions about the administration of her late partner’s estate.

She alleges that within 48 hours of the death of her long-term partner, an unauthorised attempt was made to restrict access to their Johannesburg apartment. A WhatsApp message circulated in a family group instructed that the apartment be locked and access limited, despite the estate not yet being formally reported and no executor appointed.

Madonsela claims the message came from Foxton’s accountant and business associate, who she insists had no legal authority to issue such instructions. At the time, she was in the apartment with her children and Foxton’s son, who had travelled from KwaZulu-Natal to mourn his father.

Foxton, a former public relations executive and founder of Foxton Communicating, died of cancer in June 2025 at the age of 82, leaving an estate reportedly valued at several million rand.

Madonsela has also raised concerns over what she describes as irregularities in the handling of the estate, saying she was shocked to learn through media reports that the Johannesburg apartment had allegedly been valued without her knowledge or consent.

She has since filed an affidavit in the Johannesburg High Court challenging a 2025 will, arguing that Foxton’s children and the current executor are attempting to enforce a document she believes is invalid. Madonsela further alleges that documents submitted to the Master of the High Court contain misrepresentations, including claims that Foxton had no children and the incorrect identification of his nearest relative.

These concerns form part of her court application to have the current executor removed and replaced with an independent and impartial administrator.

Madonsela has rejected claims that her only residence is in Stellenbosch, maintaining that the Johannesburg apartment was her primary home with Foxton, where they lived and spent holidays together for several years.

She stressed that the matter should be resolved through the courts, not via what she describes as misinformation and half-truths circulating in the media.

Today marks 5 months since the lifequake unleashed on my life by the sudden passing of my life partner – the love of my life who also avowed me as the love of his life, yet sometimes it still feels like a nightmare that I will wake up from. #Transcendinggrief #Grief pic.twitter.com/lzxMEBOUJf

— Prof Thuli Madonsela #KindnessBuilds (@ThuliMadonsela3) November 21, 2025

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe