The former deputy head of the Ebotwe tribal authority, which reportedly signed a document to donate land to Nelson Mandela, has disputed ever signing such a document.

Chief Zwelidumile Mbande is cited as one of the respondents in Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's application to have the Qunu property currently registered under Mandela's name given back to her.

Madikizela-Mandela claims the property was given to her by Thembu chiefs while Mandela was still behind bars.

In his papers, Mbande disputed Department of Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti's claim that the Ebotwe tribal authority took a resolution on the issue of the deed of grant and the donation of the Qunu property.

Mbande said there was never a meeting to discuss this and that, as the deputy head of the tribal authority, he was never informed of such a meeting. Mbande expressed his shock at the existence of a deed of grant for the property.

He said the only document brought to him, and which was used as the basis for the issuing of the deed of grant, was to confirm that the extensions to the Qunu property were for farming purposes.

He said the document was brought to him by a lawyer from Sangoni Attorneys.

"The document which is said to be a resolution of the Ebotwe tribal authority appears to be only signed by me in 1996.

"As I can recall, that document was presented to me for confirmation that the extensions were for a farming in the Mandela homestead.

He said the tribal authority had no power to donate land on behalf of the Qunu community and therefore could not resolve to issue of a deed.