Winnie Mandela charged with fraud

Mrs Madikizela-Mandela says the charges are untrue

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the former wife of South African statesman, Nelson Mandela, has appeared in court in Pretoria charged with fraud and corruption.

Mrs Madikizela-Mandela - the head of the African National Congress Women's League - faces a total of 60 fraud and 25 theft charges relating to the alleged use of her signature to obtain bank loans.

Investigators said the total amount believed to have been obtained was $110,000.

The Associated Press news agency says Mrs Madikizela-Mandela was set bail of $555 and is due back in court on 20 November.

Mrs Madikizela-Mandela told South African newspapers earlier in the week that the allegations have no foundation and people are merely attempting to embarrass and humiliate her.

Controversy

She said she would not be in such financial difficulties if she had defrauded a bank.

A broker, Addy Moolman, has also been charged in the case.

He is alleged to have obtained bank loans for non-existent women's league employees using Mrs Madikizela-Mandela's name and letterheads.

Mrs Mandela has had a controversial political career in South Africa.

Winnie and Nelson divorced in 1996

She played a prominent role in the anti-apartheid struggle whilst Nelson Mandela was held in prison, and spent several short spells in prison and solitary confinement herself.

However her political and personal activities, became an embarrassment for her husband and for the ANC.

Her conviction regarding the kidnapping and murder of 14-year-old Stompei Seipei Moketsi, and her eventual divorce from Nelson Mandela did not however send her completely into the political wilderness.

She retained a strong appeal among activists and radicals and kept an important political role as head of the ANC Women's League during the 1990s.