Winnie Mandela Backed For Party Post

The women’s branch of the ruling African National Congress wants President Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife to be the party’s deputy chief, despite allegations she helped kill a man in 1988.

If she wins the post, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela would be in a position to run for deputy president of South Africa in 1999.

President Mandela does not plan to seek a second term, leaving the way open for Deputy President Thabo Mbeki to move up to head the party and run the country.

The suggestion Sunday by the ANC Women’s League was not an official nomination, but indicated the organization’s support for Madikizela-Mandela in the midst of a storm over her alleged role in two deaths.

It was the first time she has been mentioned for the deputy party leadership post, which is also being sought by other high profile ANC leaders.

The most recent allegations against Madikizela-Mandela came in the book “Katiza’s Journey,” published last week by journalist Fred Bridgland. It focuses on Katiza Cebekhulu, who has been a fugitive since he disappeared on the eve of a 1991 trial at which he was to be tried along with Madikizela-Mandela on charges of murder.

Cebekhulu alleged that Madikizela-Mandela ordered the killing of Dr. Abu Asvat in 1989 to cover up her role in the abduction and beatings of four young men at her Soweto home in late 1988.

One of the young men, Stompie Seipei, later was found dead, and Madikizela-Mandela was convicted at a 1991 trial of kidnapping and being an accessory to assault. She eventually paid a fine but never served prison time.

The country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigates abuses by all parties during the apartheid era, has subpoenaed Madikizela-Mandela to testify about those and other deaths later this month.

Mavivi Manzini, an ANC Women’s League official, said Sunday that the 60,000-member organization supports Madikizela-Mandela’s insistence that a hearing be held in public.