Mandela clan plays down secret love child claims

London, Aug 8 (ANI): Nelson Mandela's clan has played down claims that the former South African president fathered an illegitimate daughter following a brief affair with a woman he met in Cape Town, in 1945.

A South African newspaper has published a photograph of a woman, who bears a striking resemblance to Mandela, alongside her family's claims that she died convinced she was his secret love child.

Mpho Pule, who died last year, was told that she was product of a brief relationship between Mandela and her mother, Seipati Monakali, reports the Guardian.

However, Mandla Mandela, the former president's grandson, said he had no intention of looking into the claim, saying it would be impossible to substantiate without DNA evidence.

Mandla played down the report, saying it was too late to investigate. (ANI)