Embattled African National Congress MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela jetted into Baghdad’s international airport last night on a chartered flight to begin her tour of duty as a human shield.
Dressed in a stylish beige two-piece frock with one of her trademark flamboyant hats, Madikizela-Mandela was whisked away in a waiting limousine to an unnamed luxury hotel in the centre of the war-torn city.
Speaking to reporters late last night from her hotel suite, Madikizela-Mandela said she had decided to take a break from politics in South Africa and had thought the time was ripe to fulfill her wish to be a human shield.
At home, Madikizela-Mandela’s lawyers were seeking an urgent interdict on Tuesday to stop National Assembly Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala’s public reprimand, pending the outcome of a High Court challenge next month.
Parliament’s Ethics Committee recently found Madikizela-Mandela guilty of failing to disclose substantial discounts and business interests in the Register of Members’ Interests.
Opposition politicians were unanimous in their praise of Madikizela-Mandela’s ”brave” stance.
The Democratic Alliance said that Madikizela-Mandela was a woman who stood by her principles: ”We were shocked when Madikizela-Mandela first volunteered (to be a human shield) and wish her all the best in her mission”.