The estate of anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is facing controversy as allegations emerge that her daughter, Zenani Mandela-Dlamini, is accused of concealing assets from Madikizela-Mandela’s grandchildren.
The late ANC stalwart’s grandchildren claim that Mandela-Dlamini has hoarded possessions, including Madikizela-Mandela’s Soweto house, vehicles, treasured objects, bags, and funeral payments.
The disputes over the estate have been ongoing for years, leading to legal battles within the family. Zondwa Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, has filed an injunction to halt the process of appointing Zenani Mandela-Dlamini as the sole executor of the assets.
Zondwa Mandela claims that, following the death of his mother, Zindziswa Mandela-Hlongwane, he and his two siblings are immediate heirs to Mandela wealth and entitled to half of it.
The disagreement reportedly began in 2020 when Mandela-Dlamini sought to be designated the only executor, leading to a legal dispute between the family members. Zondwa Mandela has requested to be named as a co-executor to protect the interests of Madikizela-Mandela’s grandchildren.
Allegedly, the siblings have ordered their lawyers to name Zondwa Mandela as a co-executor, succeeding their late mother, and to ensure that no assets are relocated without formal commitment. However, Mandela-Dlamini’s attorneys intend to contest the court motion.
The legal disputes highlight the complexities that can arise over the division of assets within wealthy families, even those with historical significance in the context of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.