Once a Legacy, Now Neglected: Inside Mandela’s Historic Home
The Houghton home belonging to the late Nelson Mandela has been “stripped of its dignity,” claims its caretaker. This comes amid the arrest of the former president’s grandson, Mbuso, on the property on charges of hijacking and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The multi-million rand mansion—which housed his extended family, including his grandchildren—was left derelict after his trust allegedly stopped paying utility bills a few years ago.
MANDELA MANSION CARETAKER CONDEMNS MBUSO’S ACTIONS
On Wednesday, 8 January, Mbuso Mandela, his girlfriend, and three others were arrested on charges of hijacking. This after a stolen Toyota Corolla was found at the abandoned Houghton mansion belonging to the late president.
According to TimesLive, a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm was later added.
Speaking to the Sowetan, caretaker Johannes Cassanga revealed that Mbuso lived in the abandoned property, where he often “had his friends over for drinks.”
Mbuso mandela, nelson mandela
Mbuso Mandela has a troubled past with the law. Images via YouTube screenshot: eNCA
The claims come after Mbuso told eNCA that he had moved out in 2019 after the Nelson Mandela Trust ceased paying utility bills.
Condemning Mbuso – who has a long history with the law – Cassanga said: “I am disgusted by the manner in which the grandson has turned the house of the honourable man into a criminal ground. He is disrespecting his ancestors to commit a crime in the house of the father of our freedom.
He added: “He has stripped this house of its dignity.”
INSIDE THE ABANDONED HOUGHTON HOME
Last year, Mbuso Mandela publicly chastised the Nelson Mandela Trust’s board members after they stopped maintaining the Houghton home.
Mbuso told eNCA: “I moved out [in 2019] because we were having issues with the family trust. We kept having to ask them to pay the water and electricity bills”.
Mbuso accused the executors of his grandfather’s estate of trying to benefit from the home. He also claims the property has a water and lights bill in excess of R1 million.
According to eNCA, the Houghton home belongs to a company called Itirele, in which the late president had shares. The executors of his estate are in the process of transferring the company to the family trust.
Take a look at the home where Nelson Mandela lived after his imprisonment and where he took his last breath over a decade ago…
[EXCLUSIVE] The last place former president #NelsonMandela called home has been abandoned. The mansion on 12th avenue in Houghton was being occupied by Mandela’s grandchildren but they moved out after the lights were cut due to unpaid utility bills – which according to his… pic.twitter.com/P5ZlWgliGT
— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) December 8, 2023
[IN PICTURES] #NelsonMandela
In a message, trustee Wim Trengove states the Houghton home belongs to a company called Itirele in which Mandela had shares which are now held under his estate. Trengove says the executors have recently made contact to give effect to the inheritance… https://t.co/YrJyGATusW pic.twitter.com/Wqa3tIXTsY
— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) December 8, 2023
[IN PICTURES] It was once a sophisticated home that hosted world leaders, international superstars and celebrities. #NelsonMandela’s Houghton home is now a shadow of itself. #eNCA https://t.co/YrJyGATusW pic.twitter.com/9a8BIdwWUR
— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) December 8, 2023
