Mandelas 'cursed' by feuds

Johannesburg - Nelson Mandela "cannot let go" because his spirit is deeply troubled by the feuding in his family, said clan elders this week.

According to a Sunday Times newspaper report, this statement was part of a submission during Friday's urgent court application in the High Court in Mthatha to have the remains of three of Mandela’s children - Makgatho, Thembekile and Makaziwe (a daughter who died at nine months) - moved from Mvezo back to Qunu.

Mandela clan elders and local chiefs believe that Mandela's prolonged ill health could be attributed to their ancestors being angry at grandson Mandla Mandela's move to rebury the children in 2011. Elders fear that the ancestors could have "cursed" the Mandela family over the actions.

"Mandela's soul is not at peace. The ancestors will only be appeased once the remains of the Mandela family are reburied in Qunu. Only then will Tata be released," said one of the local chiefs.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape High Court in Mthatha on Friday ordered Mandla Mandela to return the remains of Nelson Mandea's children to Qunu.