The tribal royal house of which Nelson Mandela was a member says it is worried by "instability" in his family.
The AbaThembu royal family on Sunday issued a statement expressing concern and urging calm amid reports of internal strife and warring over the icon's estate.
"We advised the family members to remain calm, respect the administration of the estate and ensure that all the assets remain where they are until the processes are finalised," it said.
A meeting held on Friday in Qunu where Mandela was buried on December 15 decided that elders must attend all family meetings "until further notice", it added.
"We also felt that we owe the South Africans apology for allowing a state of turmoil to begin in the house of the statesman and the world icon who sacrificed his life for all South Africans, Africans and the world."
Local media last week reported to squabbling over Mandela's estate and that his widow Graca Machel had faced rejection and abuse and was told to leave the Johannesburg home she shared with Mandela once he died.
The royals threw their backing behind Machel who they said represented Mandela "in all matters of the Mandela family".
"Immediate family members must mourn and their actions must resemble the dignity that Madiba deserves," said spokesman Daludumo Mtirara, referring to Mandela's clan name.
The meeting also backed Mandela's grandson Mandla as head of the family, dismissing as "disrespectful" his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's naming of his surviving daughter Makaziwe in the position.
Madikizela-Mandela earlier this month denied there was a dynastic battle within the extensive family.
But the Mandela family is no stranger to drama, with reports surfacing of a renewed feud shortly after the icon's funeral.
Earlier this year, a family court battle saw the remains of three of Mandela's deceased children ordered back to his boyhood village.
