Winnie Mandela saves the day

Winnie remains hugely popular with ANC supporters

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela managed to end a hostage drama at a South African university in just a few minutes after top negotiators made little headway for five hours on Wednesday.

A student reacted to being told he could not continue his studies, by using a kitchen knife to threaten an official from Wits University in Johannesburg.

She told him to hand the hostage to her and then give himself up. He did exactly that

Acting vice-chancellor Professor Loyisa Nongxa

Police negotiators, university officials and even the education minister were unable to persuade Thapelo Moselenyana, 22, to give himself up.

He forced his hostage, Glenda Lane, to call the office of Education Minister Kader Asmal.

Mr Asmal immediately went to Wits campus and spoke to him for about half an hour, to little avail.

Crack police hostage negotiators then tried, and failed, to free Ms Lane.

Hugely popular

But then Mrs Madikizela-Mandela, the divorced wife of Nelson Mandela and still a senior figure in the ruling African National Congress, took an interest.

"She told him to hand the hostage to her and then give himself up. He did exactly that," said acting vice-chancellor Professor Loyisa Nongxa.

Mr Moselenyana was immediately arrested and police say he will be charged with kidnapping, attempted murder, intimidation and assault.

Wits University registrar said that Mr Moselenyana had been owing fees of some 10,000 rand ($1,200) for more than a year and so he had not been allowed to reregister.

Mrs Madikizela-Mandela is an extremely controversial figure.

Last year, she went on trial on charges of fraud of 1m rand ($120,000).

However, she remains hugely popular and was recently re-elected to the ANC leadership and remains president of its women's league.

Even greater controversy came when she was charged by senior anti-apartheid activists with involvement in the killing of a 14-year-old township militant, Stompie Seipei.

She denied the allegations but was found guilty of kidnapping and sentenced to six years' imprisonment.

This was reduced to a fine by an appeal court.