Winnie faces up to 15 years in prison for fraud and theft
The controversial African National Congress (ANC) politician was convicted in a Pretoria court yesterday after a nine-month trial that has gripped South Africa.
The 64-year-old president of the ANC’s Womens’ League, along with her broker Addy Moolman, had pleaded not guilty to a total of 60 fraud and 25 theft charges. However, yesterday she was found to have deliberately engaged in a bogus bank loan scandal worth more than 125,000.
Madikezela-Mandela, who still retains icon-like status in post-apartheid South Africa, used ANC stationary to obtain illegitimate loans for dozens of people including her daughter, Zinzi.
The so-called ‘Mother of the Nation’ also deducted 40 from the loan applicants for funeral insurance policies that did not exist.
The politician personally signed each loan application to Saambou Bank. These documents stated that each applicant was employed by the ANC Women’s League. None were.
During her trial, the woman who walked hand-in-hand with Nelson Mandela when he was released from prison a decade ago insisted she instigated the bogus loan scheme for “philanthropic reasons.”
She claimed she had been presented with the letters by her secretary and had not looked at them, or realised the details were false, before signing. This was dismissed by State prosecutors who described the ANC politician’s evidence during the trial as “fuzzy” and unbelievable.
In his verdict yesterday morning, delivered over two and half hours, Magistrate Peet Johnson described the evidence against both Madikizela-Mandela and Moolman as “overwhelming”.
He found the politician guilty on 43 charges of fraud and all 25 of theft. Her co-accused was convicted on 58 charges of fraud and 25 of theft.
Dressed in a cream jacket and skirt, Madikizela-Mandela showed no reaction when the verdict was read out. Cries of “Viva Winnie” echoed through the court and the streets of Pretoria as loyal backers were relayed the news.
Bail for the convicted pair was set at 600 in advance of “mitigation” pleas this morning Sentencing may follow or be postponed until next week.
When the ANC Women's League President emerged into the Pretoria sunshine she was greeted by a massive ovation.
