[Sergeant Bob]

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's high-profile political career appeared to be over last night after she received a five-year jail sentence for her involvement in an £80,000 bank loan fraud.

The former wife of Nelson Mandela resigned immediately as an MP for the ruling African National Congress and stood down from its national executive committee although she protested her innocence and said she would appeal against the conviction.

Winnie Mandela given five-year jail sentence (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/04/26/winni26.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/04/26/ixnewstop.html)

[Cal4D4]

Wasn't she linked to or endorsed a certain measure of terrorism while Nelson was in jail? The only reference I remember is the "Mandela Necklace". Any historians out there?

[Preacherman]

Yep, she was the "Necklace Lady", with her famous comment that "With our guns and with our necklaces, we will liberate this land"... Only 5 years? Gee... Still, it couldn't happen to a more appropriate person.

[Sergeant Bob]

April 1986 Winnie's increasingly controversial and militant activities culminate in a speech at a funeral in which she endorses "necklace murders'--the death by burning tires around the necks of those who collaborate with the government. Her speech is widely reported in the foreign press as a call to violence; it is privately denounced by the ANC.

December 1988 After being treated for tuberculosis, Mandela is transferred to Victor Verster Prison. He is housed in an isolated cottage with a pool, a chef (Jack Swart), and gardens. His meetings with the government continue.
The same month, four young males, including 13-year-old Stompie Seipei, are abducted by members of the Mandela United Football Club (a group of young men acting as Winnie Mandela's bodyguards) and beaten inside Winnie's home. The other youths escape, but Stompie disappears. His battered body is found weeks later; Winnie is eventually implicated in the whole affair.

February 1991 Winnie's trial starts for the kidnapping and assault of four youths by the Mandela United Football Club. Throughout the years of the controversy Mandela stood by his wife; he attends the trial. She is found guilty of kidnapping, but not assault, and sentenced to six years in prison. In her appeal, she is given a suspended sentenced and fined.


That Bastion of Conservative Views, uh PBS (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/mandela/etc/cron.html)

QUOTATION: Together, hand in hand, with that stick of matches, with our necklace, we shall liberate this country.
ATTRIBUTION: Winnie Mandela (b. 1934), South African political leader. Speech in black townships. Quoted in Guardian (London, April 15, 1986).

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