Ismail Ayob - Nelson Mandela Lawsuit

Nelson Mandela Lawsuit

Ismail Ayob was asked by Nelson Mandela in May 2005 to stop selling certain prints signed by Mr Mandela and also to account for the proceeds of the sales of these prints in a prominently publicised application to the High Court of South Africa.

Mr Ayob responded that he never sold any prints but had acted only in a professional capacity as Attorney and agent for Mr Mandela and his family. Under oath he said that he had never sold any prints nor was he a partner of anyone selling prints. In terms of the written contracts, Ayob was to receive royalties due to the Mandela family. These royalties were received from time to time and were held in the Mandela company accounts under his control; he gave a full accounting with an explanation.

Mr Ayob denied any wrongdoing, and declared that he was the victim of a smear campaign orchestrated by Mr Mandela's advisors, in particular lawyer George Bizos. One particular issue was the drawing up of a last will for Mr Mandela. Nelson Mandela stated under oath that despite many requests, Ismail Ayob refused to draw up a Will. In his answer Ismail Ayob enclosed copies of five different Wills signed by Nelson Mandela over a period of years. These were produced as annexures to Ismail Ayob's answering affidavit.

After a difference of opinion with Mr Mandela, Ismail Ayob, Zamila Ayob, and Zayd Ismail Ayob were subject to an attack by Mr Mandela’s advisors. This campaign was driven through the media by page-one headlines and lead stories on radio and television. Six weeks later, proceedings were launched by Mr Mandela. His new advisors supported the application by way of supporting affidavits. Major clients, religious bodies, Mosques, the Law Society, cultural bodies, community associations, and the South African Revenue Service authorities were all contacted and attempts were made to vilify Ismail Ayob and his family. There were public meetings held in Pretoria and Durban. At these meetings, the Minister Essop Pahad in the office of the South African President Thabo Mbeki attacked Ismail Ayob and his entire family. He declared that it was an issue of guilt or innocence. Ahmed Kathrada, at a meeting he addressed in Laudium, called on Ismail Ayob to “surrender”. Ahmed Docrat called Ismail Ayob a “crook” at the same meeting. There were calls for Ismail Ayob and his family to be ostracized by society and to be expelled from Mosques and community and charitable organizations and that there be protest marches and paid newspaper advertisements signed by supporters of Mr Mandela.

In terms of the High Court rules, Mr Mandela and his new advisors were required to reply within two weeks of the answer of Ismail Ayob and Zamila Ayob. Some 20 months later, no reply had been made.