Winnie's lawyers go in to bat

2003-04-23 09:34

Pretoria - African National Congress MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's lawyers continue argument on Wednesday to persuade Pretoria regional court of her innocence on 60 fraud and 25 theft charges.

The State alleges letters with the ANC Women's League letterhead and Madikizela-Mandela's signature were used to get loans from Saambou Bank under the pretence that the applicants worked for the league.

The theft charges relate to deductions of R360 made from loan applicants' bank accounts for a funeral policy that allegedly did not exist.

Prosecutor Jan Ferreira asked on Tuesday that Madikizela-Mandela be found guilty on all the charges except two of fraud and 15 related to letters which a handwriting expert testified did not bear her real signature.

Ferreira has also asked that her co-accused, broker Addy Moolman be convicted on all the charges, except two fraud counts for which the State did not produce evidence.

Ishmael Semenya argued it could be argued, at worst, that Madikizela-Mandela was grossly negligent for not reading letters she signed.

She had no intention to commit fraud, nor had she a common purpose with Moolman to do so, he said.

- SAPA