Anglican Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu’s wife‚ Leah‚ and her granddaughter Ziyanda have made peace following an embarrassing family feud over smashed crockery.
In an incident — resonant of the rows in former president Nelson Mandela’s family – the retired archbishop’s private life was thrust into the glare of the world’s media last year. This was after the revelation that Ziyanda Palesa-Tutu‚ 30‚ faced charges of malicious damage to property and intimidation. Leah Tutu laid criminal charges against her on May 7 last year.
Although the family kept mum about the details of the dispute‚ it is understood the charges related to an incident in the Tutus’ Milnerton home in which Ziyanda allegedly destroyed a prized tableware collection‚ worth R50‚000‚ with her grandmother’s walking stick during a heated argument.
But today (Tuesday) Tutu‚ Leah and Ziyanda emerged from the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court smoking a peace pipe after mediation.
The elderly high-profile couple smiled and waved as they left court.
Last month‚ Ziyanda made representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions to have the charges withdrawn. She was briefly called to the dock today (Tuesday) and the prosecution told the court the charges had been withdrawn as the parties had cordially resolved the matter.
A visibly relieved Ziyanda declined to comment after the hearing. Her counsel‚ advocate Anèl du Toit said: “The case was settled outside court amicably by all the parties concerned. That includes the complainant‚ the accused and the state. The charges have been dropped but obviously the conditions of the mediation are privileged and we will not make any comment on them.”
Ziyanda’s silence is contrary to her attitude at the time of the incident. She took to social media and broke the news of her impending arrest on Twitter.
On her Twitter account‚ Palesa-Tutu describes herself as “Desmond Tutu’s first grandchild” and a “writer from Joburg City“. She is a qualified winemaker and cellarmaster.
In his statement last year‚ released in response to Ziyanda’s tweets‚ Tutu confirmed that a criminal charge had been laid and that police were investigating. “We are naturally distressed and deeply saddened‚” he said.
Her father is Trevor Tutu‚ the Tutus’ only son. No stranger to controversy himself‚ Trevor‚ 59‚ was recently taken to court after defaulting on child maintenance. In 1989 he was arrested after threatening to explode a device on a plane at East London’s airport.
Tutu family reach peace through mediation after crockery row
Anglican Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu’s wife‚ Leah‚ and her granddaughter Ziyanda have made peace following an embarrassing family feud over smashed crockery.
In an incident — resonant of the rows in former president Nelson Mandela’s family – the retired archbishop’s private life was thrust into the glare of the world’s media last year. This was after the revelation that Ziyanda Palesa-Tutu‚ 30‚ faced charges of malicious damage to property and intimidation. Leah Tutu laid criminal charges against her on May 7 last year.
Although the family kept mum about the details of the dispute‚ it is understood the charges related to an incident in the Tutus’ Milnerton home in which Ziyanda allegedly destroyed a prized tableware collection‚ worth R50‚000‚ with her grandmother’s walking stick during a heated argument.
But today (Tuesday) Tutu‚ Leah and Ziyanda emerged from the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court smoking a peace pipe after mediation.
The elderly high-profile couple smiled and waved as they left court.
Last month‚ Ziyanda made representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions to have the charges withdrawn. She was briefly called to the dock today (Tuesday) and the prosecution told the court the charges had been withdrawn as the parties had cordially resolved the matter.
A visibly relieved Ziyanda declined to comment after the hearing. Her counsel‚ advocate Anèl du Toit said: “The case was settled outside court amicably by all the parties concerned. That includes the complainant‚ the accused and the state. The charges have been dropped but obviously the conditions of the mediation are privileged and we will not make any comment on them.”
Ziyanda’s silence is contrary to her attitude at the time of the incident. She took to social media and broke the news of her impending arrest on Twitter.
On her Twitter account‚ Palesa-Tutu describes herself as “Desmond Tutu’s first grandchild” and a “writer from Joburg City“. She is a qualified winemaker and cellarmaster.
In his statement last year‚ released in response to Ziyanda’s tweets‚ Tutu confirmed that a criminal charge had been laid and that police were investigating. “We are naturally distressed and deeply saddened‚” he said.
Her father is Trevor Tutu‚ the Tutus’ only son. No stranger to controversy himself‚ Trevor‚ 59‚ was recently taken to court after defaulting on child maintenance. In 1989 he was arrested after threatening to explode a device on a plane at East London’s airport.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos