Winnie challenges the Late Mandela's family in court

In court papers Madikizela-Mandela argues that the royal family, which comprises Madiba’s eldest grandson, Mandla Mandela, had no right to hold the meeting at Qunu. Madikizela-Mandela’s lawyer, Mvuzo Notyesi, said: “The meeting cannot be held at Qunu. This is Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s property.” They also argue that the meeting would lead to violence between clan members. She is also worried people would damage property. The meeting which would host the entire royal family AbaThembu nation and the AmaDlomo is due to discuss Madikizela-Mandela’s claim on the property as well as Mandla’s role as head of the family. The meeting is scheduled for Friday. Madikizela-Mandela is challenging the estate in the courts, and claims the property in the Eastern Cape belongs to her. The Nobel Laurette died at his Houghton home in December 2013 after suffering a long illness. According to Mandela’s will, his homes in Qunu and Houghton in Johannesburg would be held in the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Family Trust and the Nelson Mandela Trust. According to the will, Mandela wanted the Qunu property to be used by his family in perpetuity in order to preserve its unity. In his last will and testament, Mandela said he wanted his wife, Graca to have half of his belongings, but she then waived her rights to those assets. According to Media24, Daludumo Mtirara, a close ally of Mandla Mandela said: “There is clearly a problem in the Mandela household, we need time to sort these things out. We got the court papers that say we are not allowed to have a meeting in that Qunu property. We are not really shocked but we are still trying to find a solution.” The influential AbaThembu king, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo said he would be in court on Tuesday to support Madikizela-Mandela.