Panafrican News Agency

Legal battle mars Mandela anniversary celebrations

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – Just days before the world commemorates the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth, the family of the former global statesman have launched a fresh legal battle over his estate.

Zenani and Zindzi Mandela, the daughters of the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, have approached the Constitutional Court to challenge their father's decision to leave his family home in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, under the custodianship of the Nelson Mandela Family Trust.

The trust which is run by his grandson, Mandla Mandela, aims to provide financial support for his extended family and third wife, Graça Machel.

The Supreme Court of Appeal earlier this year rejected Winnie Makikizela-Mandela’s claim on the property and she died shortly afterwards.

Zenani and Zindzi said they believe the Constitutional Court could arrive at a different verdict seeking to address "the protection of the rights of women under customary law".

They argue that under customary law, their mother had rights over the Qunu property, despite the fact that she never made the claim prior to Mandela’s death in 2013.

The siblings were appointed executors of their mother's estate in April.

Madikizela-Mandela was known to her supporters as the "Mother of the Nation" for decades.
-0- PANA CU/VAO 16July2018