Former president Nelson Mandela did not want his children to be involved in the management of his money and artworks, The Star newspaper reported on Friday.
The revelation was contained in a replying affidavit submitted by Mandela’s lawyer Bally Chuene in the High Court in Johannesburg.
Chuene reportedly argued that Mandela’s former lawyer Ismail Ayob had influenced Mandela’s daughters Makaziwe and Zenani to file court papers against him and his co-directors, Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale and George Bizos SC.
According to The Star, he submitted that the motive for the women’s application was to gain access to Mandela’s money and to sell his artworks.
He said Mandela instructed him in 2004 to write several letters to Ayob requesting all information related to the artworks. Chuene contended that Ayob had failed to comply with Mandela’s wishes.
At a meeting in April 2005, Mandela told the women he did not want them involved in his business, the newspaper reported.
Chuene, Bizos and Sexwale have asked the court to dismiss the women’s application with costs.
Sapa
