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Madiba art: 'Allegations vague'
15/04/2005 10:20 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Allegations that Nelson Mandela's former lawyer Ismail Ayob could not account for funds raised from the sale of Mandela's artworks were "vague and unspecific" Ayob's attorney said on Friday.
"The allegations have been vague and unspecific and it is difficult to discern on what course of action, or alleged course of action, they have been based," Owen Dean said in a statement on behalf of Ayob.
Ayob could allegedly not account for a reported R30m to R40m raised during his tenure as lawyer for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Despite "numerous unsubstantiated allegations" made to the media, no formal claims or demands had been put to Ayob, Dean said.
"The Trustees of the Mandela Trust are satisfied that no irregularities have been conducted by Mr Ayob in providing his services to the Trust."
Intellectual property
The source of the dispute seemed to be disagreement about whether the Mandela Trust or the Nelson Mandela Foundation had the right to control Mandela's intellectual property.
Dean said the allegations against Ayob apparently came from the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The foundation is mandated to administer funds contributed to public causes on Mandela's behalf.
Ayob is currently legal adviser to the trustees of the Mandela Trust - being Mandela's children Phumla Mandela, and Zenani Dlamini. The beneficiaries are Mandela and his family.
Legal proceedings were under way to protect Nelson Mandela's name and legacy from being exploited for commercial gain, said his lawyer George Bizos on Monday.
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