Does the family of Nelson Mandela, like many other families, suffer with addiction problems?
Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mbuso Mandela has been embroiled in controversy for many years.
- In 2012, a public dispute erupted between Mbuso Mandela and his brother, Mandla, who accused Mbuso of having an affair with his then-wife, Anais Grimaud. Mandla further alleged that this affair resulted in Grimaud’s pregnancy. Reuters
- In 2013 reported to be in outpatient addiction rehab. IOL
- In 2015, Mbuso was accused of raping a 15-year-old girl. The Guardian
- In 2015, two weeks after the rape charge, Ndaba Mandela, Mbuso’s brother, laid charges against Mbuso accusing him of stealing $6,000. Sowetan
- in 2015, Mbuso allegedly assaulted a 41-year-old woman following a sexual encounter. Sunday World
- In 2018, two years after inheriting $3.1 million from Nelson Mandela he was labelled a “deadbeat dad” for failing to pay child maintenance. He claimed he was unemployed and had no money. Times Live
- In 2025, he was arrested with 4 others for alleged hijacking. The Times
On January 8, 2025, Johannesburg police arrested five individuals, including Mbuso Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s 33-year-old grandson, at the former president’s residence in Houghton. The arrests followed the tracking of a hijacked Toyota Corolla to the property. Mbuso’s elder brother Ndaba said “There was a drug problem by Mbuso and his accomplices but they all got arrested. I have kicked everyone out of the property so there is only Andile and security left,” Times Live
The vehicle had been hijacked earlier that day on Louis Botha Avenue in Oaklands. Upon searching the premises, authorities recovered the stolen car and an unlicensed firearm. The victim of the hijacking was unharmed. eNCA
Over the years, Mbuso Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, has been involved in several controversies, including allegations of substance addiction, domestic abuse, theft, and sexual harassment. In 2022, he publicly confessed to physically abusing and strangling his girlfriend. ENC
https://www.instagram.com/vanslivenews/reel/CZM4xrDlpl4/ Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mbuso Mandela admits to abusing and strangling his girlfriend. The girlfriend made a video denying ever been abused by him.
In 2012, a public dispute arose between Mbuso and his brother, Mandla, who accused Mbuso of having an affair with his then-wife, Anais Grimaud. Mandla claimed that Mbuso had impregnated Grimaud, alleging that his son was the result of this affair.
In 2015, Mbuso faced serious allegations of raping a 15-year-old girl at Mamma’s Shebeen, a restaurant and bar in Greenside, Johannesburg. The charges were later provisionally withdrawn. The Guardian
That same year, he was accused of stealing over $6,000 from his brother, Ndaba, allegedly to purchase drugs. Ndaba filed a theft case against Mbuso, claiming the money was taken from his room at their Houghton home while he was abroad on business. At the time, Mbuso was reportedly an outpatient at a drug rehabilitation center. IOL
Additionally, in 2015, reports surfaced that Mbuso allegedly assaulted a 41-year-old woman following a sexual encounter.
In 2018, despite inheriting $3.1 million from his grandfather’s estate two years prior, Mbuso claimed he lacked the funds to pay child support. His ex-partner, Gugu Keswa, labeled him a “deadbeat dad” and took him to court for failing to provide maintenance for their five-year-old daughter.
In 2022, Mbuso was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and drugs. He was released on bail by his older brother, Ndaba, who suggested that Mbuso had been associating with the “wrong company.”
These incidents have contributed to a tarnished public image for Mbuso Mandela, raising concerns about the challenges faced by some members of prominent families in South Africa.
Mbuso Mandela, one of Nelson Mandela’s 17 grandchildren, has previously faced legal issues, including allegations of rape, failure to pay child maintenance, and possession of an unlicensed firearm. The Houghton property, once home to Nelson Mandela and his third wife, Graça Machel, has been a point of contention within the Mandela family since the former president’s passing in 2013. Disputes have arisen over its future use, with some family members opposing plans to convert it into a museum, citing it as their residence. The Times & The Sunday Times
On January 10, 2025, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced that Mbuso Mandela would not be charged due to insufficient evidence linking him to the hijacking. However, he remains a suspect in the ongoing investigation. The other four suspects appeared in court on charges related to the hijacking. eNCA
This incident has brought renewed attention to the Mandela family’s internal disputes and the challenges they face in preserving Nelson Mandela’s legacy. The Houghton residence, in particular, symbolizes both the family’s heritage and the complexities of managing such a significant legacy in the public eye.
As the investigation continues, the public remains watchful of developments concerning the Mandela family and the preservation of Nelson Mandela’s historical and cultural contributions to South Africa.