Five people including a Mandela arrested at the late president’s house in Houghton

Five people, four males, and one female have been arrested at the house of late President Nelson Mandela in Houghton, Johannesburg North for possession of a highjacked vehicle and unlicensed firearm. The five people include one with the Mandela surname.

A Toyota Corolla that was highjacked in Oaklands recently was found at the house. Police alleged that one of the male suspects was one of the grandchildren of Nelson Mandela. Xolani Fihla, JMPD spokesperson said the car was highjacked along Louis Botha Avenue this morning. “They were arrested in possession of the highjacked vehicle and an unlicensed firearm. Earlier this morning, the JMPD tactical team received information from a vehicle tracking company regarding the White Toyota Corolla. The information then led the police to the house in Houghton,” he said. “Upon arrival at the premises, we found the vehicle. Through the preliminary information, it was discovered that the lady arrested along with the four gentlemen was allegedly renting the property.” The victim is said to be safe and unharmed and has opened a case at Vosloorus SAPS.

The Mandela home was in the process of being renovated for free by the Collin Mashawana Foundation last year, however, plans to continue with the renovations were on hold after a family dispute over home ownership occurred. The home of the struggle stalwarts once hosted the likes of Bongo Maffin, Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, and Naomi Campbell had been in shambles with no proper running water, and sanitation. The grass was unkept and the walls were dilapidated.

Brothers Collen and Cecil Mashawana, through their foundation, have collaborated with Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi promised to restore the house as it was a historic monument. The resident home on 12th Avenue Houghton where Mandela spent his later years was last occupied by some of his grandchildren; Ndaba, Mbuso, and Andile who had vacated the home following controversy with the Nelson Mandela Trust and the disconnection of power supply by the municipal office due to unpaid bills and levies.