89-Year-old woman fights to reclaim R2 million home sold by stepdaughter
A Western Cape elderly woman sought relief in the high court after discovering that her R2 million was sold by her stepdaughter.
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The Western Cape High Court has stepped in to protect 89-year-old Maria Anna De Ridder’s property, finding prima facie evidence that it was unlawfully transferred to her stepdaughter without her consent.
Acting Judge Adrian Montzinger granted urgent interim relief, freezing any further dealings with her Ladismith property while the dispute is resolved in court.
De Ridder, who has been living in a nursing home in George since 2023, approached the court on an urgent basis after discovering that her property had been transferred into the name of her stepdaughter, Rose-Marie Nelson, in January 2026.
The transfer was allegedly facilitated by Nelson’s husband, Trevor, and attorneys involved in the transaction.
According to the court papers, De Ridder had owned the property since 2004.
However, despite a deeds office search in October 2025 still reflecting her as the registered owner, a deed of sale was purportedly concluded around the same time in favour of her stepdaughter.
The agreement was signed by her step-son-in-law under a general power of attorney.
Crucially, the court found that the power of attorney relied upon had already been revoked by De Ridder weeks before the alleged sale agreement was signed.
The circumstances surrounding the transaction raised further red flags.
The property, valued at more than R2 million, was reportedly sold for R877 000, and no payment was ever made to De Ridder.
Instead, the arrangement appeared to rely on an informal understanding that the Nelsons would care for her.
Adding to the court’s concern was evidence suggesting that the respondents had applied for a duplicate title deed under the pretext that the original was lost, despite De Ridder still being in possession of it.
This step enabled the transfer to proceed through the deeds office.
In granting the interim interdict, the court emphasised that De Ridder had established a prima facie right to have the transfer set aside.
It also found a real risk of irreparable harm if the property were to be sold or further encumbered before the matter is finally resolved.
Meanwhile, tenants renting the garden flat have also been ordered to pay their rental into an attorney’s trust account instead of to the respondents, ensuring that the income is preserved pending the outcome of the case.