Mandla Mandela: Nelson Mandela’s grandson accused of illegal grave tampering

Members of Nelson Mandela’s family have laid a criminal complaint against former South African president’s grandson Mandla Mandela.

According to police spokesman Mzukisi Fatyela, officers would investigate allegations of illegal grave tampering.

A public prosecutor would then decide whether to press charges, he said.

It involves the bodies of three of Nelson Mandela’s children, who were allegedly moved from a family graveyard about two years ago by Mandla Mandela.

In a separate case, 16 Mandela family members are seeking to move the bodies back to the graveyard in the village of Qunu, where Nelson Mandela, who is critically ill in hospital with a recurring lung infection, wants to be laid to rest.

The case is being heard at the Mthatha High Court in Eastern Province and has been postponed until Wednesday.

Last week, the court granted an interim order for the remains to be exhumed and moved from Mandla Mandela’s homestead in the village of Mvezo to nearby Qunu, 14 miles away.

Mandla Mandela, who was appointed as chief of Mvezo by his grandfather, is now contesting that order.