Facing the truth

A public row has broken out between Archbishop Desmond Tutu's truth commission and lawyers representing Nelson Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie, o...

A public row has broken out between Archbishop Desmond Tutu8217;s truth commission and lawyers representing Nelson Mandela8217;s ex-wife, Winnie, over threats to subpoena her to answer questions about a series of murders.

The controversy comes amidst speculation that Winnie 8212; who was fired by her husband from government, but recently staged a comeback by regaining the leadership of the ANC Women8217;s League 8212; might make a bid for the presidential succession.

The lawyers for the fiery politician, known to her supporters as the 8220;mother of the nation8221;, have protested against what they term her victimisation, complaining that the commission is showing itself to be more sympathetic to the former president, P.W. Botha. In an exchange of letters released by the two sides the lawyers complained of 8220;sensational8221; statements made to the media by the commission8217;s chief investigator, Dumisa Ntsebeza, about plans to force Winnie to testify. They said they were causing immense damage to her 8220;political profile.8221; Referring to the refusal of Botha to appear before the commission they said it was 8220;surprising8221; that they had failed to 8220;flex the same muscle8221; with the ex-president 8220;who displayed utter contempt for the law and the commission.8221;

Ntsebeza replied with a letter saying: 8220;It is in the interests of your clients to co-operate with us. It is in her interests to clear her name and to refute the allegations against her.8221; He confirmed that Winnie had been named in connection with the murder of the teenage activist, Stompie Seipei, and the disappearance of other youths. Winnie was convicted of kidnapping Sepei and three other children, but cleared of murdering the boy 8212; believed to have been beaten to death in a back room of her house 8212; when she produced an alibi. Her bodyguard, Jerry Richardson, was condemned to death for the murder, a sentence later commuted to life imprisonment. A friend of Winnie, Xoliswa Falati, was gaoled for kidnap and assault.

Richardson and Falati are understood to have submitted amnesty applications to the truth commission, discrediting Winnie8217;s alibi and linking her to at least four other murders. Some of the victims are alleged to have been thrown down a Johannesburg mine-shaft, which truth commission investigators are this week trying to identify and explore.

Attempts have been made to prevent Richardson testifying before the commission. A former ANC military commander was entrusted by a group of prisoners to deliver their amnesty applications, but he appears to have trashed Richardson8217;s documents. The truth commission discovered the sabotage by accident, when it visited the prison to interview Richardson about the allegations against Winnie.

In addition to Richardson and Falati, a key witness who was kidnapped on the eve of Winnie8217;s trial, in 1992, is expected to testify to the truth commission. Katiza Cebekhulu has taken refuge in Britain after being released from a Zambian prison.

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The truth commission investigation into the activities of Winnie and her 8220;football team8221; has particular significance for its possible impact on ANC leadership elections later this year. At a congress scheduled for December Nelson Mandela is expected to stand down as ANC president in favour of his heir-apparent, Thabo Mbeki. There is no obvious candidate to succeed Mbeki and it is possible that the Women8217;s League will put forward Winnie.

Although her chances are seen as slim, her extraordinary talent for political survival and her grass-roots popularity raise at least a possibility that 8212; unless she is completely discredited 8212; she could mount a bid for the leadership of South Africa.

The Observer News Service