South Africa court orders Mandela grandson to return the bodies of former president's children

JOHANNESBURG – A South African court says that Nelson Mandela's grandson must return the bodies of the former president's three deceased children to their original burial site.

The court Wednesday ruled against grandson Mandla Mandela, who moved the bodies of three Mandela children in 2011 from Mandela's hometown in Qunu to Mandela's birthplace, Mvezo. The judge said the bodies should be reburied Wednesday afternoon.

The case was brought by 16 Mandela family members against Mandla Mandela, who argued that as the family's eldest male he was entitled to take such action. A Mandela family member pressed criminal charges Tuesday against Mandla for tampering with a grave.

Mandela, the anti-apartheid hero who was imprisoned for 27 years, remained in critical condition in hospital Wednesday. He was admitted June 8 with a lung infection.