ANC: How do we solve a problem like Mandla Mandela?

The ANC in the Eastern Cape has called for an urgent meeting with the Mandela family to discuss Mandla Mandela’s personal life.

According to a report in the Times on Monday, the high profile delegation, which will be led by ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, wishes to meet elders of the Mandela family to explore ways of preventing the Mandela name from suffering any more embarrassments.

“We are treating all matters very seriously. It is our concern that this meeting must happen as soon as possible,” said ANC provincial spokesperson Mlibo Qoboshiyane.

The ANC is reportedly concerned about Mandla Mandela’s continuing negative actions and the effects it could have on his grandfather, former president Nelson Mandela.

Two village chiefs were also expected to attend the meeting.

“This thing with Mandela is out of hand.

Nobody can dictate to him, but he is tarnishing the Mandela name with all these wives he marries and wants to marry. He feels he is a law unto [himself] and does not even want to listen to anyone,” said one of the chiefs expected to attend the meeting.

Mandla made headlines when his first wife Tando Mabunu-Mandela filed for divorce claiming he was introducing polygamy into their marriage.

While the divorce from Mabunu-Mandela was still pending, Mandela married Anais Grimaud but the marriage was annulled.

In June 2011, the Mthatha High Court restricted Mandela from accessing his bank accounts to stop him from disposing of any assets before the divorce from Mabunu-Mandela was finalised.

The same court restricted Mandela from marrying Mbalenhle Makhathini in December last year but he defied the order when he married her in the same month.

Mandela was in court again after he was accused of expropriating land from families in the Eastern Cape to build a hotel and a stadium.—Sapa