Winnie Mandela denies fraud and theft charges

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has pleaded not guilty to 85 counts of fraud and theft charges amounting to nearly £65,000 (€101.30).

The charges stem from an alleged scheme to obtain bank loans for non-existent employees of the African National Congress Women's League, which she leads.

Madikizela-Mandela has been accused of using the money to support an affluent lifestyle.

An anti-apartheid hero, she is wildly popular with many poor urban blacks. But she has also been criticised by President Thabo Mbeki and senior ruling party officials as a self-promoting insubordinate.

She is being tried along with her financial adviser Addy Moolman, who also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trial was postponed on Monday after Madikizela-Mandela's lawyer asked for more time to get information from the prosecutors.