Police unable to track down Mandela's grandson over child support debacle

21 April 2019 - 00:00 By KATHARINE CHILD

Three weeks after a warrant of arrest was issued for Nelson Mandela's grandson Mbuso Mandela, police say they have been unable to track him down, claiming he is "nowhere to be found".
For five years, dancer Gugu Keswa has been fighting to get Mbuso to pay maintenance for their child, aged 5.
Police spokesperson Capt Richard Munyai said that on March 28 police went with Keswa to Nelson Mandela's former home in Houghton, where Mbuso, 28, used to live, but the "helper confirmed he is no longer staying there".
Munyai said: "There are rumours he has been seen in Bryanston and then in Cape Town, but nobody knows where he stays. The family say they don't know where he is and he is moving around."
This is the second warrant of arrest issued against Mbuso for failing to appear in court.
In January 2017, he was arrested for contempt of court for failing to appear in court, and spent nine days in Johannesburg Central prison.
Keswa, who has a new lawyer to help her in her long-running battle, said a subpoena had been issued on March 5 for Mbuso to appear in family court in Johannesburg. Her lawyer, Heather Sterling, confirmed that he didn't show up on March 25 and the warrant was issued.
Keswa said she was told to take the warrant from court to the Norwood police station, as it would be "safer" if she delivered it.
Justice department spokesperson Stephens Mahlangu confirmed that "the applicant took the warrant to the police on March 27, 2019".
Sterling said the delay in arresting Mbuso was "very concerning. The warrant of arrest was issued on March 25. Three weeks later, nothing has happened. Mbuso Mandela is quite a well-known public figure. I don't think it would be too difficult to arrest him. He has a known address.
"I am told by sources he has been seen around Sandton partying. It is not as if he has gone into hiding."
She said it was the first time in her career that a warrant of arrest has not been effected after three weeks when the person's address was known.
Keswa said that when she told police Mbuso was staying with a friend in Sandton, the police told her she must organise to have the warrant moved to the Sandton station, as that area is out of their jurisdiction.Munyai said they had in fact only asked her to let the station commander know if she learns where he is."At the moment he is nowhere to be found and is not in the Norwood jurisdiction," he said.Attempts by the Sunday Times to contact Mbuso were unsuccessful. His phone was constantly off.The Nelson Mandela Trust pays the couple's child's school fees...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.