Renowned South African television and theatre icon Sello Maake kaNcube has found himself at the centre of controversy after allegedly selling a luxury car without consulting his estranged wife, Pearl Mbewe. The vehicle, which reportedly formed part of their marital estate, is a point of contention as the couple navigates their ongoing divorce proceedings.
Demands and Legal Maneuvering
Maake kaNcube has issued several demands to Mbewe through his legal representatives, Van der Merwe & Associates Incorporated. Among these demands, he has requested her resignation from their jointly-owned companies, Tap Roots Projects and Sello Maake KaNcube Holdings. If she refuses, the actor has threatened to remove her from the directorship of these entities under provisions of the Companies Act.
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Additionally, Maake kaNcube has insisted that Mbewe hand over access credentials to his social media accounts, stating his desire to manage his online presence independently. He also requested the spare key to his car, which Mbewe reportedly holds.
Sello Maake kaNcube in the middle of hte Luxury Car Controversy
At the heart of the dispute lies a Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe, which Maake kaNcube sold in January 2025. In a letter obtained by Sunday World, his lawyer, Gert van der Merwe, explained that the vehicle was sold to cover the actor’s living expenses due to financial difficulties allegedly caused by Mbewe’s actions.
“Our client disposed of this vehicle in January 2025 in order to provide for his own living expenses. Your client’s shenanigans caused our client’s income to dry up, resulting in him disposing of assets to pay for his living expenses,” the letter reads.
The letter further stated that the vehicle sale should not be considered in the division of assets during the divorce proceedings.
Dispute Over Settlement Funds
Another significant aspect of the conflict involves a R1.25 million settlement agreement stemming from a decade-old dispute with a KwaZulu-Natal woman. This woman had previously received funds from the National Lottery Commission but failed to allocate Maake kaNcube’s share. After intervention from Mbewe, a settlement was reached, allowing the actor to receive his portion in installments.
However, according to Maake kaNcube’s legal team, the final payment, scheduled for December 2024, was cancelled by the woman’s lawyers. Consequently, Maake kaNcube claims that Mbewe is not entitled to any part of this amount.
“Pearl will be aware of the fact that Werksmans Attorneys dispatched a letter on December 10, 2024, in which they canceled the settlement agreement and advised that the balance payment due on December 31, 2024, will not be made,” the letter states.
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Business Ventures in Question
The couple’s shared business interests have also come under scrutiny. Mbewe holds a third of the shares in Tap Roots Projects and Sello Maake KaNcube Holdings, both of which Maake kaNcube describes as “dormant and without value.” His lawyers propose that she relinquish her shares and resign as director from both entities to simplify the divorce settlement.
If Mbewe refuses, Maake kaNcube has indicated that he will take legal action to remove her from the companies.