Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela responds to the court action against him.

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Nelson Mandela's grandson, chief Mandla Mandela, says he's sad and disappointed that some family have chosen the courts to resolve intricate family matters.

In a statement on Sunday, he said that he heard from media reports that a court process against him was in progress in the Mthatha High Court.

Mandela Mandela said he was neither aware of this nor was he served with any papers to enable him to defend this action.

On Friday, Mthatha High Court judge, Lusindiso Pakade, granted an application in favour of 16 members of the Mandela family.

According to reports the application was to have the remains of some of the former president's relatives, which were moved by Chief Mandela from Qunu to Mvezo, to be returned to Qunu for reburial.

He was given 48 hours to respond to the ruling.

Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela's full statement has been posted below:

Johannesburg, Sunday, 30 June 2013: 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 the 28th of June, Nkosi Zwelivelile learned 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.

On the 10th of April this year, Nkosi Mandela released a statement distancing himself from another court action coincidentally by the same group of family members against Advocate George Bizos, Minister Tokyo Sexwale and Bally Chuene appointed by Madiba to be in charge of Harmonieux Investment Holdings and Magnifique Investment Holdings.

In this statement Nkosi Mandela had the following to say, "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 continues 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."

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. 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 in order 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.

Once more the focus of the family is being diverted for reasons that still baffle Nkosi Mandela. Just like he did regarding the previous court action, Nkosi Mandela is determined not to be drawn into conflicts that seem to be geared towards serving only narrow and short term interests.

"When I was installed as the Chief of Mvezo in 2007, 70 years after the Mandela chieftaincy was taken away from us, my grandfather warned me that the task of being a custodian of our customs and culture and the responsibility to preserve these will not be an easy one. I promised him then to do everything in my power to be a guardian of these cultures and to work hard to facilitate development for the people of Mvezo, one of the poorest communities in the Eastern Cape."

Says Nkosi Mandela. Nothing will deter him from fulfilling this solemn promise he made.

Regrettably and reluctantly Nkosi Mandela is compelled to go to court and respond to the action taken against him. "The way we are handling this matters is contrary to our customs and a deep disappointment to my grandfather and his ancestors." says Nkosi Mandela.

ends