/ 3 October 1997

Winnie blames Falati

FRIDAY, 8.30AM

WINNIE Madikizela-Mandela held a press conference Thursday to accuse the media of a “persistent campaign of disinformation” linking her to the murders of child activist Stompie Seipei and her doctor, Abu Baker Asvat.

Madikizela-Mandela said she had conducted her own investigation, and concluded that her former close friend Xoliswa Falati, who shared her house, had gathered together various young men and “instigated criminal behaviour” among them. Falati, who has fallen out with Madikizela-Mandela and become a key witness against her, was responsible for holding tribunals which passed judgment on informers, she said.

Madikizela-Mandela introduced five youths to the press conference, saying that they would give evidence on her behalf, but then refused to allow reporters to question them. She denied that the injured Seipei had been seen by “an Indian doctor” and said that he had been spotted outside Protea Police Station, suggesting that he was an informer.

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