Winnie Mandela sentenced to jail

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the ex-wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, was today jailed for five years with one year suspended for fraud and theft.

Prosecutors had said a prison sentence was appropriate for the 66-year-old and her co-defendant, financial adviser Addy Moolman, but said the court should take her age into account.

Always a controversial figure, Madikizela-Mandela is still hailed by many South Africans as an icon of the anti-apartheid struggle.

Outside the court, Madikizela-Mandela declined on the advice of her attorneys to discuss the case.

However, she announced she had resigned her seat in Parliament and her positions as a member of the executive committee of the governing African National Congress and the head of the ANC Women’s League.