The ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela Madikizela (L), and his widow Graca Machel wipe their tears upon their arrival with the remains of South African former president Nelson Mandela at the airport in Mthatha on December 14, 2013. The aba-Thembu royal family said on Sunday that widow Graca Machel was not ill-treated by the Mandela family. This came after reports emerged that the family was fighting over Mandela's estate and wanted to evict Machel from the house she and Mandela shared. PHOTO/FILE.
Late former South African president Nelson Mandela's widow Graca Machel was not ill-treated by the Mandela family, the aba-Thembu royal family said on Sunday.
"She (Machel) must be respected by each and every family member as she is the only wife of Madiba (Mandela) who supported him until the last moment," royal family spokesperson Daludumo Mtirara said in a statement.
This came after reports emerged that the family was fighting over Mandela's estate and wanted to evict Machel from the house she and Mandela shared.
No firm evidence could be found that proved Machel was ill- treated by the family, said Mtirara.
But Mtirara acknowledged "instability in the Mandela house" in Qunu, Eastern Cape, where Mandela was buried.
The members of the royal family shared their concern about "instability in the Mandela house," said Mtirara.
He was referring to an alleged family feud over Mandela's assets, including his Qunu estate, among family members.
Mtirara said a process is underway to allocate the estate.
"We understand that there is a process for the allocation of the Estate," he said.
Mtirara urged Mandela family members not to change the status of Mandela's estate until the allocation process are finalised.
"We advised the family members to remain calm, respect the administration of the Estate and ensure that all the assets remain where they are until processes are finalized," Mtirara said.
The aba-Thembu royal family made the call after a meeting with the elders of the Mandela house in Qunu to discuss the allocation of the estate, according to Mtirara.
The meeting, Mtirara said, reiterated that Mandla Mandela, who is the eldest grandson, was to be considered the head of the family.
"Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela is the only point of entry to the Mandela house and he remains the head of this house," said Mtirara.
Mtirara's remarks contradict those of Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela who said Mandela's eldest daughter, being Ms Makaziwe Mandela, will head the family and will make decisions with the support of her two sisters.
This was in accordance with customary law and tradition, Winnie said in a statement days after Madela was buried on Dec. 15.
"To this end there is no misunderstanding, or debate," Winnie said.
As for Mandela's eldest grandson Mandla Mandela, Winnie said he is respected as one of Mandela's grandchildren, the next generation of the Mandela family.
Mandla and Makaziwe have reportedly been involved in a bitter public spat over the control of Mandela's legacy and leadership of the fractured family.
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