Winnie Mandela Gets Jail Term for Fraud

A South African court sentenced Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to four years in jail for fraud Friday, but the anti-apartheid heroine emerged defiant from the court, punching a fist into the air as supporters shouted “Viva.”

The flamboyant ex-wife of former President Nelson Mandela, convicted Thursday of dozens of counts of fraud and theft related to bogus bank loans, maintained her innocence and has appealed.

Saying he saw “not one hint” of remorse, Pretoria Magistrate Peet Johnson sentenced Madikizela-Mandela, 66, to the five-year term with one year suspended. However, he cited a legal provision that would let a parole board cut the term to eight months.

Madikizela-Mandela immediately resigned from parliament and posts in the ruling African National Congress, signaling the likely end of a maverick political career of a woman dubbed “the Mother of the Nation” for her fight against apartheid during Nelson Mandela’s 27-year imprisonment.

Madikizela-Mandela and her co-defendant, broker Addy Moolman, were found guilty of stealing nearly $137,000. Moolman, who also appealed, was sentenced to seven years, with two suspended.

State prosecutors said letters bearing Madikizela-Mandela’s signature were used to secure loans for bogus employees of the Women’s League of the ANC.

Madikizela-Mandela’s lawyers accused Moolman, bank staffers and Women’s League employees of lying about her role. They said she was duped into participating in a fraud she knew nothing about.