Winnie Mandela found guilty of fraud

A South African court has found Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the former wife of Nelson Mandela, guilty today of fraud and theft involving one million rand (£85,000).

Madikizela-Mandela, 64, was convicted of 43 counts of fraud and 25 of theft, while Addy Moolman her financial advisor was found guilty of 58 counts of fraud and 25 of theft. The pair face 15 years in jail although will have to wait until Friday until arguments about sentencing have been finalised.

The pair sat next to each other as the magistrate, Peet Johnson, read his verdict for two and a half hours, whereon he concluded, “the state’s evidence is overwhelming”.

The trial marked the latest setback for the Member of Parliament and President of the African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) who had played a role in the nation's successful anti-apartheid campaign led by her former husband Nelson Mandela.

The prosecution said that letters on ANCWL stationery, that bore Madikizela- Mandela's signature, were used to fraudulently obtain bank loans in the name of bogus employees, including her daughter, Zinzi.

The theft charges related to money deducted from the bank accounts of loan applicants for a funeral policy that the prosecution said did not exist.

Concluding her testimony last month, Madikizela-Mandela said that she signed the documents, handed to her by her secretary, without checking them, and that she was duped into taking part in fraud.

The guilty verdict has led to renewed calls for the resignation of her parliamentary seat, while the ANC has reserved comment until the case has concluded.

Some supporters know Madikizela-Mandela as "the mother of the nation" for her role in the anti-apartheid era. Whereas others refer to her as “the mugger of the nation” particularly in the light of her conviction in 1991 of kidnapping charges in the murder of a 14-year-old boy. The six-year prison sentence was reduced to a fine on appeal. Winnie also recently refused to pay a fine levied by parliament for financial irregularities and has just only settled a legal battle with a bank over money owed on a loan for her luxury home in Soweto.

(AMcE)