/ 24 March 1995

Editorial Round 15 to Winnie

You have to hand it to Winnie Mandela. She is unmatched for fighting power. Not only is she back on her feet and fighting back when everyone had counted her out, but she seems to be stronger than ever.

She is the Mohammed Ali of the ANC, though Ali limited himself to three returns to the championship and one spell in jail while Mrs Mandela has had at least half-a- dozen of each.

For strength of will and determination she is unmatched.

Her political stamina is extraordinary — and even her harshest critics have to appreciate her ability to return from overseas facing a fraud investigation, immediately rush to court to challenge police actions, rally her forces behind her, refuse to give an inch — and win.

In finding for her and overturning the police search warrant, the legal system demonstrated its independence and a firm commitment to the rule of law.

The end result was a strengthening of the court system, though a weakening of a police force that demonstrated its continued inability to do its job properly.

Police representatives are arguing that the onus of ensuring a search warrant is correct lies with the magistrate who issues it, not the police who request it.

But you have to be a half-wit to raid a deputy minister’s house without ensuring that you make no legal errors along the way.

The question that remains is whether Mrs Mandela will use her extraordinary powers, abilities and strengths as a force for political good, or continue to fall for the temptation of cheap populism that could be so damaging to this country and her party.

And, of course, her troubles are not necessarily over, not by a long way.

She still faces a fraud investigation, though with her instinct for survival and the police ability to mess these things up, she may be around for some time yet.