One of Nelson Mandal’s grandsons has been accused of raping a 15-year-old girl.

Family members of the late former president Nelson Mandela were occupying the court gallery on Friday in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. Ndaba and Makaziwe Mandela were among those sitting in the front row of the court.

The person who has been accused of rape has not yet pleaded to the charge but he is expected to apply for bail. Until he pleads, his name must be withheld from the media.

It is alleged that the rape took place at a pub in Greenside, Johannesburg,Police spokesperson Brigadier Mashadi Selepe told News24 on Monday.

He said that the young man “made a brief appearance on a charge of the rape of a 15-year-old girl.”

Selepe stated that due to the fact that the young man was charged with a Section 6 offence he has to remain in custody until his bail application is heard.

The media reported that Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had sent a bodyguard posing as a policeman to the girl and her family however Selepe said the police had not received a complaint regarding this.