The Western Cape High Court has granted a woman’s application for interim maintenance from her ex-partner pending the finalisation of the main application. The two started a romantic relationship in 1984 and entered into a life partnership in 1991. They lived together and had two children.
In court papers, the woman said the couple conducted themselves as spouses in that they cohabited, raised children jointly and referred to one another as husband and wife. She said the man described her as his “lifelong partner” in his will and as his “wife” in other documents. The man was the primary breadwinner.
She never had a full-time job during their partnership and devoted herself largely to caring for the household and children. The man supported the family financially for decades, including through regular cash payments and direct payment of household expenses. The couple ended their life partnership in October 2020.
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The woman alleged in court papers that upon deciding to end the partnership, the man promised in writing to continue maintaining her as he had during their partnership. She further claimed that the man kept this promise for three years after their partnership ended. After three years, the man reduced his contribution and eventually stopped certain payments.
The woman approached the court in the main application to compel him to keep his promise to financially support her, also arguing that partners in a permanent life partnership have a duty to support each other. Pending the outcome of this main application, she asked the Western Cape High Court to compel him to financially support her. An interim order was granted by agreement on 2 December 2025, providing for certain payments pending the return date.
However, the man is now resisting the continuation and expansion of this relief. He elected not to deliver an answering affidavit but instead raised legal objections.
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