The tests were to confirm the identities of the Mandela children before their reburial in Qunu.
The remains of former president Nelson Mandela's three children have been sent for forensic testing, the Eastern Cape health department said on Thursday.
"We can confirm that the department has sent a forensic specialist to conduct tests on the remains of the Mandela family," spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said.
"That process is currently underway at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital."
The tests were to confirm the identities of the Mandela children before their reburial in Qunu.
Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela had the bodies exhumed and moved to his village of Mvezo in 2011. He claimed that Mvezo, where he was building a multi-million-rand hotel, was the birthplace of the Mandelas and held historic significance.
The graves are those of Mandela's eldest son Madiba Thembekile, who died in a car accident in 1969; Mandla Mandela's father Makgatho Mandela, who died in 2005; and Mandela's first daughter Makaziwe Mandela, who died as an infant in 1948.
A resident of the area took him to court last year for digging up graves, but that case has yet to be heard.
The Eastern Cape High Court on Wednesday granted members of the Mandela family, led by Mandela's eldest daughter Makaziwe Mandela, an order compelling Mandla Mandela to return the remains to Qunu. He challenged the ruling, but lost.
Remains to be tested: dept
The tests were to confirm the identities of the Mandela children before their reburial in Qunu.
The remains of former president Nelson Mandela's three children have been sent for forensic testing, the Eastern Cape health department said on Thursday.
"We can confirm that the department has sent a forensic specialist to conduct tests on the remains of the Mandela family," spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said.
"That process is currently underway at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital."
The tests were to confirm the identities of the Mandela children before their reburial in Qunu.
Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela had the bodies exhumed and moved to his village of Mvezo in 2011. He claimed that Mvezo, where he was building a multi-million-rand hotel, was the birthplace of the Mandelas and held historic significance.
The graves are those of Mandela's eldest son Madiba Thembekile, who died in a car accident in 1969; Mandla Mandela's father Makgatho Mandela, who died in 2005; and Mandela's first daughter Makaziwe Mandela, who died as an infant in 1948.
A resident of the area took him to court last year for digging up graves, but that case has yet to be heard.
The Eastern Cape High Court on Wednesday granted members of the Mandela family, led by Mandela's eldest daughter Makaziwe Mandela, an order compelling Mandla Mandela to return the remains to Qunu. He challenged the ruling, but lost.
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