JOHANNESBURG - Former president Nelson Mandela’s children have launched a court bid to remove advocate George Bizos and others as directors of two of his companies, according to reports from South Africa.

Bizos, a close friend to Mandela, is better known in Zimbabwe for representing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai during a sensational treason case.

 The Star newspaper said Mandela’s daughters, Makaziwe and Zenani Mandela, had made a court application to have Bizos, businessman and politician Tokyo Sexwale, and lawyer Bally Chuene removed from Harmonieux Investment Holdings and Magnifique Investment Holdings.

Both companies were established by Mandela’s former laywer Ismail Ayob, reported the daily.

The companies were set up to channel proceeds of Mandela’s handprints into the accounts of the companies for Mandela and his children’s benefit.

The Star said the proceeds were estimated to be more than R15m.

The two daughters claim that Bizos, Sexwale and Chuene were never appointed by Mandela as major shareholders or directors.

Bizos told the newspaper the allegations were completely false.

“There is no basis to the allegations. We are not hijackers. We don’t hijack things. We are confident we were regularly appointed at the wish of Mr Mandela five years ago.”

The court application would be challenged, he said. — SAPA/ STAFF WRITER