Johannesburg - Chief Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela was on Monday due to challenge the Mthatha High Court ruling forcing him to repatriate the remains of his grandfather’s children for burial in Qunu – where Nelson Mandela’s home is.
Mandla is chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council and the grandson of Nelson Mandela.
On Sunday, he told The Star that he was disappointed at his aunt Makaziwe and 15 other members of his family for having taken to the courts to “resolve intricate family matters”.
He was adamant he was never served with a summons to make a representation in court.
The court on Friday ordered Mandla to return the remains of his father, Makgatho Mandela, aunt Makaziwe – who died when nine months old – and uncle Thembekile to Qunu, where they were to be reburied. He also was to pay the court costs.
In 2011, Mandla exhumed the remains of his relatives in Qunu and took them to his homestead several kilometres away in Mvezo.
More drama unfolded last week when Makaziwe, Mandela’s eldest daughter, called an urgent ibhunga – a traditional council meeting for the Mandela clan – where the repatriation of the remains was discussed.
It was reported that tensions over the matter reached boiling point, with Mandla storming out of the meeting.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting were United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa and Minister of Public Service and Administration Lindiwe Sisulu.
On Thursday, Mandla denied that he was involved in a tiff with his aunts and cousins.
His spokesman Freddy Pilusa said: “Chief Zwelivelile has no issues with any authorised person in the family repatriating any or all of the graves.”
The aggrieved family made an urgent application to force Mandla to accede to their demands, and the court agreed that all the remains should be moved to Qunu.
Reacting to the court ruling on Sunday, Pilusa said: “Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela is sad and disappointed that yet again some members of the family have chosen the courts to resolve intricate family matters.
“On June 28, Nkosi Zwelivelile learnt via the media that a court process against him was in progress in the Mthatha High Court.
“He was neither aware of this nor was he served with any papers to enable him to defend this action.”
Pilusa declined to say what was contained in Mandla’s replying affidavit, on the grounds that the initial application was held in camera. He said he was just complying with the court’s order by keeping the document private.
Pilusa confirmed that the chief would file the papers on Monday.
Mandla reminded his aunts, Makaziwe and Zenani Mandela, about a statement he issued on April 10 in which he distanced himself from a court application they had made against advocate George Bizos, Minister of Human Settlements Tokyo Sexwale and Mandela’s lawyer, Bally Chuene, who were appointed by Mandela to take charge of Harmonieux Investment Holdings and Magnifique Investment Holdings.
The aunts want the trio to withdraw their trusteeship and directorship at the two companies. The matter is still before the Johannesburg High Court.
In his April 10 statement, Mandla said: “It is important at all times that we as a family avoid actions and decisions that will infringe on the dignity of my grandfather.
“Madiba has just recently been released from hospital and continues to recover well from his recent ailment.
“As the nation and the world continue to send their support and prayers, the family’s efforts must be geared towards caring for him and to avoid putting his name in disrepute.”
According to Pilusa, the latest court action has baffled Mandla.
“In subsequent remarks, Nkosi Mandela made it clear that he did not want to be associated with court actions that are a clear squabble over his grandfather’s monies,” Pilusa said.
“He further indicated that there are better ways to resolve family matters than a situation where children and grandchildren are seen to be taking Madiba to court to challenge the credibility of his decisions.
“This court action still continues to this day, even with his grandfather fighting for his life in hospital,” said Pilusa.
Mandla, in a formal statement on Sunday, said nothing would deter him from fulfilling the promise he made to his grandfather.
“Regrettably and reluctantly I am compelled to go to court and respond to the action taken against me. The way we are handling this matter is contrary to our customs and a deep disappointment to my grandfather and his ancestors,” Mandla said.
The Star