Winnie linked to mafia man

2003-11-16 21:04

Johannesburg - Former first lady Winnie Madikizela-Mandela remains mum on the death of her close friend, Johannesburg socialite Hazel Crane.

Crane was assassinated last week.

Stories have abounded about Madikizela-Mandela's long-time association with Crane, but Sapa reports that she had been close to Crane's ex-husband Shai Avissar as well.

Avissar was one of the leaders of the South African arm of Israel's Ramat Amidar gang. He was murdered in October 1999, allegedly by his lieutenant and rival, Lior Saat.

Avissar bought Madikizela-Mandela the dress she wore to former President Nelson Mandela's swearing-in ceremony in 1994. Crane lent her the jewels.

Avissar and Crane were both a financial source for Madikizela-Mandela to fall back on.

But his support for her was more than just financial. Avissar was at one stage something of a self-appointed crusader for Winnie's cause.

In 1993, he and Crane came across Israel's then-ambassador to South Africa, Alon Liel, at Sun City. There Avissar introduced himself to the ambassador as a friend of Madikizela-Mandela.

Winnie 'friendly towards Israel'

Liel told Sapa that he was very interested at the time in the friendship a woman like Madikizela-Mandela was enjoying with an Israeli businessman.

"She was very friendly towards myself and towards Israel. You could even say she had a positive attitude towards Israel, which surprised me. Her attitude was we are opening a new page and that's it," he said.

Liel was not then aware that Avissar was linked to the underworld.

After Avissar's murder in 1999, Madikizela-Mandela is said to have let "her people" loose, scouring the townships for his body.

"Avissar, Winnie and Crane were all very good friends," said police spokesperson Chris Wilken.

- SAPA