South African authorities on Tuesday said a controversial New York auction of Nelson Mandela's memorabilia has been suspended after the government moved to block it. 

Items including the late anti-apartheid leader's identity card and some of his iconic shirts had been listed for sale by a US auction house working with Mandela's daughter Makaziwe.

The sale was supposed to take place in late February, but the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) said auction house Guernsey's has decided to put it on hold following discussions.