Nelson Mandela's grandson guilty of assaulting teacher in road rage incident

South Africa:  Nelson Mandela’s grandson Chief Mandla Mandela has been convicted of assault by a regional court in South Africa following an alleged road rage incident.

Mandla, an African National Congress (ANC) MP, assaulted teacher Mlamli Ngudle after he reportedly crashed his car into a white BMW X5 driven by a guest of the Mvezo Chief in October 2013.

“Despite the shortcomings, I am satisfied that the truth has been told and the state has proved it’s case,” said Magistrate Noluthando Conjwa in handing down her verdict.

Ngudle had also claimed Mandla had pointed a firearm at him during the incident which took place in the Eastern Cape city Mthatha, but Conjwa said there was no evidence to support this.

Mandla, who is also known by his praise name, Chief Zwelivelile, inherited the position of traditional ruler at Mvezo village, his grandfather’s birthplace.

Ngudle told the court he was trying to reverse his car when the altercation took place. He alleged Mandla had assaulted him without provocation, took his car keys, pointed a firearm at him, pulled him out of his vehicle and stamped on his head and kicked him during the incident.

Mandla, who testified in his own defence, admitted to slapping Ngudle but said it was in self defence.

He alleged Ngudle had been drunk at the time.

“He called me a boy. He also called me a dog. And he insulted my mother’s private parts,” Mandla told the court.

Conjwa said that while there had been discrepancies on both sides, this did not mean the state's case would be rejected.

She said Mandla had been “arrogant, argumentative and evasive” during his testimony.

He will be sentenced at a date yet to be announced.