More mudslinging in Mandela camp

Mandla Mandela, the grandson of former president Nelson Mandela, is seen at a news conference in Mvezo.

Mandla Mandela, the grandson of former president Nelson Mandela, is seen at a news conference in Mvezo.

Published Jul 30, 2013

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Johannesburg - Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela has described the court action by his relatives to have George Bizos, Tokyo Sexwale and Bally Chuene removed as directors from companies worth millions as an attempt to “loot” his money.

The hearing was due to take place in the Johannesburg High Court but was struck off the roll on Monday after Ismail Ayob, a lawyer representing Makaziwe and Zenani Mandela, withdrew his services. It was not clear why Ayob withdrew his services.

Candice Collins, a spokeswoman for Norton Rose, the law firm representing Bizos, Sexwale and Chuene, said: “The court has directed the applicants to file their further affidavits, if any, by no later than August 13, failing which the registrar is directed to enrol the matter.”

In April, Makaziwe and Zenani - supported by some of Mandela’s grandchildren - filed an application to have the trio removed from Harmonieux Investment Holdings and Magnifique Investment Holdings.

The companies, according to court documents and a source, were established by Ayob, Mandela’s former lawyer. Their main purpose was to channel “proceeds of Madiba’s handprints” into the accounts of the companies for Mandela and his children’s benefit.

The proceeds are estimated at more than R15 million.

On Monday, Mandla lashed out at his relatives, saying the court application to have Bizos, Sexwale and Chuene removed as directors was a blatant attempt to disregard and undermine “Madiba’s decisions which he made while strong”.

He said this was blatant abuse of the elderly.

“Why wait until the sponsor of a trust is not well to question decisions that he made long time ago? I consider this court action as nothing more than an attempt to loot (Mandela’s) monies that he has so carefully set out how it must benefit the family and who must guide decisions relating to that.”

Mandla believed the people appointed by his grandfather were men of integrity who had always had Mandela’s confidence.

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The Star

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