National
Judgment expected in Winnie's Qunu case─── 06:46 Thu, 07 Apr 2016
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela/Gallo images
Mthatha - The Mthatha High Court is expected to hand down judgment on Thursday in Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's challenge to her ex-husband, former president Nelson Mandela's, estate.
Madikizela-Mandela is seeking the rights to Mandela's home in Qunu, Eastern Cape. Her lawyer, Mvuzo Notyesi, argued that AbaThembu custom dictated that the rights to the property should go to Madikizela-Mandela and her descendants.
This was applicable irrespective of whether the wife was divorced or not, Notyesi said.
"It is only in this home that the children and grandchildren of Mrs Madikizela-Mandela can conduct their own customs and tradition."
Some AbaThembu leaders had argued that Madikizela-Mandela should have first approached the clan's elders before laying claim to the estate.
Madikizela-Mandela claimed the property had been obtained while she was married to Mandela and belonged to her in terms of the AbaThembu custom.
In his last will and testament, Mandela left the Qunu property to all members of the Mandela family as a place to unify them.
Madikizela-Mandela was left out of his will which was released in February 2014 after his death on December 5, 2013.
The three executors opposing Madikizela-Mandela's bid are Human Rights advocate George Bizos, Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke and Eastern Cape Judge President Themba Sangoni.-News24.com
