Winnie waits for ruling

2003-04-23 11:59

Pretoria - Judgment will be given on Thursday in the fraud and theft trial of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and broker Addy Moolman.

Pretoria regional magistrate Peet Johnson postponed the case on Wednesday after counsel for the State and the accused concluded their legal arguments.

Madikizela-Mandela, who is president of the African National Congress Women's League, and Moolman have pleaded not guilty to 60 counts of fraud and 25 of theft pertaining to loans obtained from Saambou Bank for bogus league employees.

Security at the court was even stricter on Wednesday morning than on Tuesday afternoon, following an incident when a young woman went right up to Madikizela-Mandela in the dock while the trial was under way.

Police would not allow anyone into the public gallery on Wednesday morning before Madikizela-Mandela had entered. When she did arrive, she was surrounded by about seven men, apparently bodyguards. One of them sat right next to the dock.

Police members body-searched journalists and members of the public wishing to follow the proceedings, and also looked through their bags.

- SAPA