The Eastern Cape High Court has ordered Mandla Mandela to return the remains of Mandela’s three children and two other relatives to their original burial site in Qunu. – image – thenewage.co.za
Nelson Mandela’s grandchild Mandla Mandela is facing criminal charges over the exhumation and reburial of Mandela’s children.
Police spokesperson, Mzukisi Fatyela confirmed that criminal charges have been laid against Mandla.
Yesterday Fatyela said: “I confirm a case of tampering with a grave was opened at Bityi police station today against Mandla.”
Mandla has been accused of exhuming three graves of Nelson Mandela’s children and burying them in Mvenzo without consulting with family members.
It is believed Mandla exhumed the graves of his father Makgatho Mandela, who died in 2005, Mandela’s first daughter Makaziwe, who died as an infant in 1948 (the living Makaziwe is the second one) and Mandela’s second son Madiba Thembekile, who died in a car accident in 1969.
The police declined to reveal who laid the case. “Yes the case has been opened but I can’t confirm who opened the case against Mandla,” explained Fatyela.
He said the police are still investigating the case. This came shortly after Nelson Mandela’s eldest daughter Makaziwe and 16 other Mandela family members were last week granted an order compelling Mandla to return to Qunu the remains of Madiba’s three children. The 16 applicants include Mandela’s wife Graca Machel and his children. Mandela’s daughter Makaziwe, his granddaughter Ndileka and grandson Ndaba were seen arriving in court yesterday.
