Nelson Mandela’s grandson accused of raping 15-year-old
The 24-year-old grandson of the late South African president Nelson Mandela is facing rape charges, and his ex-wife is rumored to have used her bodyguard to intimidate the victim’s family.
South African law doesn’t allow the name of the accused to be released, so the local The Star newspaper only identified him as Nelson Mandela’s 24 year-old grandson. But The Guardian named the young man as Mbuso.
He is a descendent of the first of the anti-apartheid leader’s three wives, named Evelyn Mase. Despite his prestigious connections, police assure that he will be treated no differently than any other suspect.
The alleged incident took place in Greenside, a suburb of Johannesburg, The Independent reported, at an African-themed restaurant called Mammas Shebeen. The victim went there on August 7 with some friends.
Nelson Mandela’s grandson is accused of following the girl, who is 15 years old, into the bathroom. He then allegedly raped her in a toilet cubicle. Mbuso was arrested last weekend, and the girl is now receiving counseling. He appeared in court Monday.
The owner of Mammas Shebeen said his staff was unaware of any incident at this establishment that night, and unfortunately, footage on all of the restaurant’s eight cameras is stored for only 120 hours, and has since been automatically erased.
IN POLICE CUSTODY
The Star also reported that Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela, had a bodyguard follow the victim’s family.
These rumors suggest that the bodyguard pretended to be a cop, “but when the father asked to see his badge, he didn’t have one.”
They contend that the bodyguard told them there was no need for the suspect to be arrested.
The famous grandson remains in police custody, remanded in jail while he awaits another court appearance.
This rape accusation is merely the latest in a string of scandals to plague Nelson Mandela’s progeny. Mandela, who died in 2013 at 95, has a total of 17 grandchildren; Mbuso was left $300,000 of his grandfather’s money in his will.
His eldest grandson, Mandla, 40, has been convicted of assaulting a fellow driver during a road rage incident. His granddaughter, Zoleka, said she was sexually abused as a child, and admitted to being an alcoholic and drug and sex addict he also tried to commit suicide, buried two children, and suffered breast cancer.
Following the leader’s death, his progeny have also fought over his money and the final resting place of three of his deceased children.