Winnie Mandela Arraigned in Fatality

Winnie Mandela, looking grim and tired, was arraigned today on charges of assault and kidnaping stemming from a 1988 incident when four youths were allegedly taken to her house and beaten.

Mandela, holding hands with her husband, African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela, said nothing as she arrived at a city magistrate’s court. She stood silently in the courtroom as her lawyers conferred with the magistrate and a trial date was set for Feb. 4. She was freed on her own recognizance.

Nelson Mandela was stern-faced during the proceedings, occasionally referring to the charge sheet or touching his wife’s hand when she sat next to him. The ANC leader has vowed to stand by his wife, noting she did the same for him during his 27 years’ incarceration.

Mrs. Mandela, wearing a black outfit, was greeted by about 30 cheering and singing women supporters as she left the court. “Winnie, Winnie!” the women chanted as they tried to touch her.

She smiled briefly before being whisked away by lawyers and aides.

One youth was killed and the former head of Mrs. Mandela’s bodyguards, Jerry Richardson, has been convicted of murder and sentenced to death in the same case. The sentence is being appealed.

Mrs. Mandela has denied any wrongdoing.

White and black leaders fear the trial will strain relations between the ANC, the leading anti-apartheid group, and the white-led government as they try to start talks on extending political rights to the black majority.

Mandela may be discredited in the eyes of militant young blacks who oppose negotiating with the government and will see his wife’s trial as demeaning.

Mrs. Mandela faces trial with seven members of her former bodyguard who have been charged on the same counts. If convicted, she could face the death sentence, lawyers said. However, that sentence has never been imposed for kidnaping, they said.