Authorities Accidentally Threaten to Cut Nelson Mandela's Utilities

Had the wrong address for $600,000 bill

Authorities admitted on Monday they had mistakenly delivered a utilities bill to Nelson Mandela's upmarket home and threatened to cut the icon's water and electricity supply.

Johannesburg city council apologised for the "unfortunate incident" after the 6,500-rand ($660, 500-euro) bill arrived at the global peace hero's house in the suburb of Houghton over the weekend.

"The address and account number stated on the notice belong to another customer and property in a neighbouring suburb, not to the Mandela residence," said city spokesman Kgamanyane Maphologela.