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Nelson Mandela’s daughters are continuing their fight to take hold of his multi-million dollar fortune and artwork by filing a lawsuit challenging the anti-apartheid leader’s control over his  trust.  Zenani and Makaziwe Mandela have attempted to grab the money more than once.

Mandela, 94, is said to be ailing. He has been hospitalized twice in the last several months.

In 2004, a high court ruled that he be in charge of his finances, which the daughters, and two granddaughters, all stand against.

From News One:

The women are allegedly fighting a 2004 Johannesburg High Court order that gives Mandela the right to instruct his then-attorney Ismail Ayob to stop managing his financial, personal, and legal affairs. The order also prevented the lawyer from selling any of Nelson’s collection of art pieces.

Last week, Nelson’s current attorney, Bally Chuene, filed a court document in response to the lawsuit that was brought by Makaziwe and Zenani, whose legal counsel is now Ayob.

The suit is mandating that Chuene; George Bizos, a renowned human rights attorney; and Tokyo Sexwale, a cabinet minister, who are named as trustees and directors of the valuable artwork and trust, be removed from their positions and instead allow the daughters to be in control their father’s fortune. The two daughters claim that the three men were never appointed as shareholders or even directors.

The 94-year-old former president of South Africa, who has had more than his fair share of medical problems throughout the last few years, has reportedly informed his legal team in no uncertain terms that he does not want daughters Makaziwe and Zenani involved in his business dealings.

The Global Post states that as per Chuene, who manages Nelson’s investment funds, which are worth more than $1.7 million, “Mr. Mandela made it clear to Makaziwe and Zenani that he did not want them involved in his affairs…the only persons he wanted involved were myself, advocate Bizos…and his other various nominees.”

The attorney goes on to state that the women are only seeking their father’s fortune and their current legal actions are fueled by “greed.”

After nearly 30 years behind bars, Mandela was released from prison in 1990. Four years later he was elected president of South Africa. Much of his income came from his political post, and artwork.

Idris Elba will play the Nobel Peace Prize-winner in a forthcoming biopic, Long Walk to Freedom.

Photo: WENN