Police probe Mandla Mandela hostage saga

Eastern Cape police are investigating kidnapping charges against Nelson Mandela's grandson and heir.

Sunday Times journalist Bongani Mthethwa and photographer Thembinkosi Dwayisa have lodged a complaint against Chief Mandla Mandela, who allegedly held them hostage at his homestead, Mvezo Great Place, for more than eight hours last week.

On Monday, the Mvezo Development Trust, which reports to Mandla's Mvezo Traditional Council, accused the Sunday Times of telling "an eccentric tale" about Mandla holding journalists hostage.

On Friday, after consulting attorneys, Mthethwa and Dwayisa opened a case of kidnapping against Mandla at the Bityi Police Station, situated about 10km from Mandela's homestead in Qunu and about 55km from Mvezo.

Officers at the station said the docket, containing detailed affidavits finalised by Mthatha advocate Jonathan Hobbs, would be handed over to an investigating officer.

Repeated attempts to obtain comment from Mandla have been unsuccessful. The trust, created by Mandla, is the custodian and key decision-making body for all developments in Mvezo, the village where Mandela was born.

The Sunday Times visited Mvezo last week to investigate allegations that Mandla was illegally expropriating villagers' land and removing grave sites to build a multimillion-rand hotel and stadium.

Three villagers - Mtshutshisi Tyalakhulu, Kwedini Diniso and Bhito Fothi - representing more than 100 people, had filed an urgent court application in the Mthatha Regional Court on September 28, accusing Mandla of effectively stealing their land for the development.

The villagers have title deeds which show that their families have owned the land since 1910.

At the community meeting on Friday last week to discuss the legal challenge, Mandla declared "war" on the three villagers and their families.

At the same meeting, Mandla and a group of villagers held the Sunday Times team hostage, accusing them of trespassing and of conspiring with the families who he said were determined to disrupt his development.

For eight hours, Mthethwa and Dwayisa were denied access to water, food and toilets.

In an affidavit, Mthethwa described how Mandla interrogated them, barred them from leaving Mvezo, and accused them of trespassing in his palace.

"Some of the villagers hauled out their cellphones and took photographs of us as we were made to stand under the scorching sun, without any form of shade," Mthethwa said.

The release of the two men was secured only after the newspaper obtained a court order instructing police to travel to Mvezo Great Place to ensure their release.

The Mvezo Development Trust later accused the Sunday Times team of having "sneaked" into the community meeting uninvited.

"It is quite clear that the Sunday Times was not there to find out about the development, but to support the actions of three individuals who seek to undermine it," it said.