Nelson Mandela's grandson accused of grave tampering

Cape Town, July 3: Members of the former South African president's family laid the charge against Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, at a police station in the Eastern Cape for illegal grave tampering on Tuesday as a dispute within the family grew increasingly bitter, according to reports.

Mandla Mandela, 38, is accused of moving the bodies of three of Mandela's children, from a family graveyard about two years ago. A police spokesman added that a public prosecutor will decide whether or not to press charges.

A judge will decide on Wednesday in the Eastern Cape High Court where the bodies should eventually be laid to rest, a ruling which, in a way, will likely state where Mandela will eventually be buried.

Nelson Mandela's eldest grandson Mandla, who inherited his position as a chief in the Thembu tribe, moved the bodies two years ago to his own village of Mvezo, 13 miles away.

Sixteen members of the Mandela family, including eldest daughter, Makaziwe, made an application to request to have the remains reburied in Qunu.

Mandela, who is aged 94, is believed to be on life support in a Pretoria hospital, where his condition has been described as critical but stable. He has requested that he be buried on a hillside in front of the home he built in his childhood village of Qunu after he was released from prison, alongside his children.

Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela of the Mthatha police said, "Members of the Mandela family opened a case of tampering with a grave against Mandla Mandela at Bityi police station this afternoon."

Mandla has reoprtedly been involved in the creation of a visitor centre in Mvezo, which would benefit greatly from revenue if his grandfather was buried there.

OneIndia News