Pardon Winnie please

2003-05-01 22:44

Charles Banda

Blantyre - Malawi's first lady, Patricia Shanil Muluzi, has requested President Thabo Mbeki to use his presidential powers to overturn Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's sentence.

Muluzi said despite the fact that the correct legal procedures may have been followed to sentence Madikizela-Mandela on corruption and theft charges, she should be pardoned on "humanitarian grounds".

"Mrs Madikizela-Mandela, her children, grandchildren and other family members had to suffer physical and emotional torture during the 27 years her ex-husband, former president Nelson Mandela, was in prison," she said.

Muluzi asked that Mbeki appoint a team of counsellors "to ensure that Mrs Madikizela-Mandela recovers soon and is able to resume her normal routine".

Mbeki's office could not confirm on Thursday whether they had received the message.

- Beeld