Nelson Mandela’s daughters fight over control of his wealth

zenani

Daughters of former South African President, Nelson Mandela have taken up court actions to oust three of Mandela’s aides from companies linked to him.

makaziwe

KRS S.A correspondents say Makaziwe and Zenani Mandela filed court papers on Tuesday April 9, 2013, alleging that George Bizos, Housing Minister, Tokyo Sexwale and Mandela’s ex-lawyer, Bally Chuene were never appointed as shareholders or directors of Harmonieux Investment Holdings and Magnifique Investment Holdings.

The daughters allege the three have no right to be on the boards of two companies worth about $1.7m (£1.1m), ‘All three – Bizos, Chuene and Sexwale – were invited to resign as directors, which invitation they declined,’ Makaziwe said in an affidavit, the website reports

Reports also say there has been a bitter feud since 2005 for control of money generated in Mandela’s name, especially the sale of drawings he made while in prison for opposing white minority rule. The two companies were set up to channel money from the sale of Mandela’s iconic handprint for his and his children’s benefit.

Bizos who responded on behalf of the other defendants said that there is no basis to the allegations. ‘The public should ask themselves why five years later these allegations are being laid. We are confident we were regularly appointed at the wish of Mr Mandela five years ago’, he stated.

The case comes amid growing concern about the health of 94-year old Mandela who has been in and out of hospital in recent times.