Mandela to court over art
2005-05-10 09:49
Johannesburg - Former president Nelson Mandela has put his signature on documents that will probably lead to the toughest court case of the year.
Vincent Maleka, SC, Mandela's legal representative, told Beeld on Monday that Mandela had signed documents in connection with the threatening court case between Mandela and his former legal advisor, Ismail Ayob, and Ayob's partner Ross Calder.
Ayob and Calder, chief executive of Touch of Mandela, which markets Mandela's art on the website www.touchofmandela.co.za, will probably be subpoenaed this week after Mandela earlier accused them of forging signed lithographs of his original works of art and selling them for millions of rands.
Maleka and George Bizos, SC, said last month they would bring a civil suit against Ayob and Calder, who allegedly forged Mandela's signature and embezzled money obtained from selling the so-called "Madiba Art".
On Monday night, Maleka did not want to give details of the looming lawsuit, but said Calder and Ayob would not be the only defendants in the case.
"Mr Mandela is the only applicant in the case but there are a number of defendants."
Maleka would not confirm whether a civil suit would be lodged in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday, but said the subpoena would probably be served on Ayob, Calder and others before the end of the week.
Bally Chuene, who also serves on Mandela's legal team, told Beeld earlier that the former president would not personally testify against the men who allegedly abused his name.
Chuene said Bizos, who is leading Mandela's legal team, would probably be called to testify.
He said earlier "millions of rands" were involved in the alleged fraud but would not comment on whether the defendants would be sued for a specific amount of money.
- Beeld