Paper: Winnie interview took place

2010-03-12 22:03

Johannesburg - The London Evening Standard has expressed puzzlement over Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's denial that she gave an interview that was published in the newspaper.

The SABC reported the paper's managing editor, Doug Wills, on Friday as saying that the interview did take place.

Wills said the writer of the story, Lady Nadira Naipaul, was a distinguished journalist who visited Madikizela-Mandela at home and spoke to her at length about her experiences.

Nadira and her husband, Nobel Literature prize winner Sir V S Naipaul, were photographed with Madikizela-Mandela.

This picture was printed with the article, Wills said.

Earlier in the day, Winnie denied giving the interview, in which she was quoted as making critical remarks on her former husband, Nelson Mandela.

"I did not give Ms Naipaul an interview. It is therefore not necessary for me to respond in any detail to the contents of a fabricated interview," Winnie said in a statement.

She added: "I will in the coming days deal with what I see as an inexplicable attempt to undermine the unity of my family, the legacy of Nelson Mandela and the high regard with which the name Mandela is held here and across the globe."

- SAPA