Mvezo chief ‘knows nothing’ of ruling

the reburials of the Mandela children in the new gravesite are at advanced stage. Workers have been working around the site since Monday. “They are ready for burial if everything goes according to plan. It’s for his [Madiba’s] children and him,” said one employee.

In the Mandela family graveyard in Qunu there are no headstones for Thembekile, Makgatho and Makaziwe – the daughter who died as a baby.

Chief Mfundo Mtirara, who is close to the Mandelas, said he was not aware of the court matter but understands that there was an “agreement” in a meeting early this week to exhume the remains of the three.

“We wanted this to be done in an amicable way. We never wanted this to go to court. We never wanted things that will divide the family, all we wanted was for the three to be returned to Qunu,” said Mtirara.