Nelson Mandela's grandson has allegedly turned the former president's home into a 'hangout for drug users' and 'scantily clad women.
In his will, Mandela stated that his grandsons could live at the Houghton Estate property in Johannesburg rent-free, however trustees have become worried about their treatment of the home.
They said that brothers Ndaba and Mbuso Mandela's 'unbecoming' behaviour was impeding an important refurbishment to protect the property's legacy, according to News24.
The dispute has been outlined in court documents, with a hearing expected to take place in March.
In an affidavit, one of the brothers' cousins, Tukwinio Mandela, alleged that Mbuso had let 'troublesome friends and their families' stay on the property in a separate cottage.
She said: 'The friends he invited to stay in the cottage were often intoxicated, and the gate and house keys were left in their possession, which allowed them full access to the property, including the main house.'
Tukwinio added that she repeatedly saw 'scantily clad women' and 'intoxicated people' in the yard, and claimed that items from the home began to disappear.
'These items were later found in the cottage,' she said.
In his will, Mandela stated that his grandsons could live at the Houghton Estate property in Johannesburg rent-free
The outside of Nelson Mandela house in Houghton, Johannesburg
Mbuso Mandela (pictured), the grandson of late former South African president Nelson Mandela
As a result, the house had allegedly fallen into disrepair, with the cousin saying appliances had been stripped and carpets stained.
High court judge Gcina Malindi, who is one of the trustees of the Nelson Mandela Trust, said it would be a 'travesty' to permit the brothers to stand in the way of the refurbishment, calling their behaviour 'destructive'.
Malindi added that it would be 'in the interests of preserving the late President Mandela's legacy' to limit access to the house while the renovations were ongoing and 'until a final decision has been taken as to the use of the house.'
The trustees are reportedly applying for an order to ban Ndaba from entering the property and are also looking to evict him.
They are attempting to get a similar order regarding the main home for his brother Mbuso.
Ndaba Mandela, (pictured), the grandson of late former South African president Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela (R) posing with former US First Lady Michelle Obama (2ndR) and her daughters Malia (L) and Sasha at his home in Johannesburg in 2011
The application was submitted on January 12 at the Gauteng high court.
The brothers filed an intention to oppose and were given until January 20 to put forth an answering affidavit.
However, they have reportedly not done so.
Speaking to South African media in January, Mbuso said he did not consume drugs and was fighting the eviction.
He said: 'All I can say is that we are fighting it; we cannot allow certain people to sell the house for their own profit.'
Mandela moved into the luxurious home in 1998 with his wife Graca Machel, where he hosted a variety of prominent figures such as former American First Lady Michelle Obama and singer Bono.
Irish rock star Bono, right, and former South African President Nelson Mandela pose together in 2002
Before his death, he left the home to his trust to decide for 'what special purpose the house may be used.'
However he also added that his grandsons Ndaba, Mbuso and their brother Andile could reside there 'free of any consideration for their lifetime until the trustees of Nelson Mandela Trust, after consultation with the Mandela and Machel family, decide otherwise'.
