Ex parte Steenkamp and Steenkamp
In Ex Parte Steenkamp and Steenkamp, an important case in the South African law of succession, Mr. and Mrs. K. bequeathed a farm and certain movable property to their children born and to be born of their daughter. Their son-in-law subsequently murdered Mr. and Mrs. K. At the time of their deaths, Mr. and Mrs. K's daughter and son-in-law had two children, and the daughter was pregnant with a third child. The "nasciturus" was born alive, but died when it was six months old. In terms of the Intestate Succession  Act, Mr. and Mrs. K.’s daughter and son-in-law would inherit from their infant child. The question before the court was whether this was permissible, as the son-in-law would indirectly benefit from the murders he committed. Three main issues were dealt with in Steyn J.’s judgment: Accordingly, the court held that the son-in-law could inherit from the child. This judgment has been severely criticized. Writers believe that there was no "novus actus interveniens", and therefore that there was legal causation.