South Africa has demanded a halt to an auction of the key to the prison cell on Robben Island once occupied by former President Nelson Mandela.
The sale is due in January in New York by Guernsey's auction house. The seller is Christo Brand, Mandela's former prison guard in the notorious jail.
But Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa's culture minister, said there had been no consultation with the government.
"This key belongs to the people of South Africa," he said. "It is not anyone's personal belonging," the minister added.
Guernsey says its planned auction on January 28 is to raise funds for a memorial garden and museum around Mandela's burial site.
The prison cell key is one of several items put up for sale. Other highlights include Mandela's original painting The Lighthouse, Robben Island, as well as the exercise bicycle he was allowed to use and prison tennis racquet.
Mandela, who is a national hero in South Africa, spent 18 out of 27 years of his time in prison on Robben Island. Mr Brand later became a close friend of Mandela.
The notorious island, within sight of the city of Cape Town and Table Mountain, acquired its name from the seals that once populated it in multitudes - robben being the Dutch word for seal.
Mandela was released in 1990 as South Africa began to move away from strict racial segregation (apartheid) - a process completed by the first multi-racial elections in 1994 when he was elected the country's first black president.
Mandela served a single term, stepping down in 1999. He died in 2013 aged 95.
Latest Stories
-
Police officer interdicted after video of assault goes viral
2 mins -
KNUST’s Prof. Reginald Annan named first African recipient of World Cancer Research Fund
3 mins -
George Twum-Barimah-Adu pledges inclusive cabinet with Minority and Majority leaders
50 mins -
Labourer jailed 5 years for inflicting cutlass wounds on businessman
51 mins -
Parliament urged to fast-track passage of Road Traffic Amendment Bill
52 mins -
Mr Daniel Kofi Asante aka Electrician
52 mins -
Minerals Commission, Solidaridad unveils forum to tackle child labour in mining sector
57 mins -
Election 2024: Engagement with security services productive – NDC
59 mins -
Retain NPP for the good of Ghana – Rebecca Akufo-Addo
59 mins -
‘Let’s work together to improve sanitation, promote health outcome’ – Sector Minister urges
60 mins -
Ellembelle MP cuts sod for six-unit classroom block at Nkroful Agric SHS
1 hour -
‘I’ll beat the hell out of you if you misbehave on December 7’ – Achiase Commanding Officer
1 hour -
AFPNC leads the charge on World Prematurity Day 2024
1 hour -
Court remands unemployed man over theft of ECG property
1 hour -
Election security rests solely with the police – Central Regional Police Command
1 hour