South Africa has returned to its Constitutional Court in a renewed attempt to stop the auction in the United States of 29 personal items once belonging to Nelson Mandela, escalating a four-year legal battle over whether the memorabilia should be treated as private property or protected national heritage

Mandela's eldest daughter, Makaziwe, authorised the sale to raise funds for a memorial garden near her father's grave in Qunu.

South Africa has asked the Constitutional Court to stop the US auction of 29 items associated with Nelson Mandela, arguing they are protected heritage objects that should remain…