Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court as a witness, testifying against her nephew in a theft case, The Star website reported on Thursday.
It said her nephew and former bodyguard, Mzontsundu Madikizela (34), is charged with 97 counts of theft.
He has denied guilt but offered no plea explanation.
Madikizela is now working for African National Congress deputy secretary general Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele.
The state alleges that Madikizela, while still employed as Madikizela-Mandela’s bodyguard, had access to her automated teller machine (ATM) card and personal identification number.
He allegedly made unauthorised withdrawals, causing her to suffer losses totalling R123 000.
Madikizela-Mandela said Madikizela, apart from being a bodyguard, was also a trusted family member. She had given him authority to withdraw money as she could not stand in long queues ”for security reasons”.
She was surprised to learn her nephew had on numerous occasions withdrawn an amount of cash that exceeded her daily limit of R1 500.
The alleged crimes happened while she was still a parliamentarian, Madikizela-Mandela told the court.
”I opened the account between June and July 2001, and my bank manager, Tshidi Mayeka, advised me to use an ATM card. The accused was with me when I opened the account, and I gave him my card whenever I needed cash.”
The alleged theft emerged early this year when the bank phoned and informed her that her cash had dried up, Madikizela-Mandela said.
On March 18 2002, Madikizela-Mandela said she sent her nephew to withdraw R1 500.
He allegedly made two withdrawals of R1 000 each, gave Madikizela-Mandela R1 500 and pocketed the rest.
On April 17 2002, Madikizela allegedly stole R1 000, and two days later he allegedly stole R500.
Madikizela-Mandela said her nephew continued to use the same modus operandi, leading to her financial loss.
Her testimony continues. — Sapa