SOUTH AFRICA: WINNIE MANDELA RESIGNS FROM GOVERNMENT

(17 Apr 1995) English/Nat

In a bitter and angry statement, Winnie Mandela resigned from the South African government Monday, pre-empting her second dismissal from her ministerial post which was due to come into effect tomorrow (Tuesday).

She continued to taunt her estranged husband President Nelson Mandela by suggesting that her dismissal as a Deputy Minister may be illegal.

President Mandela first fired his wife as Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology on March 27, following her involvement in a string of embarrassing incidents and allegations of corruption.

Winnie Mandela went to court to challenge the dismissal which she
said was unconstitutional. The president reinstated her just long enough to dismiss her a second time - this time following the correct constitutional procedures.

The second dismissal would come into effect tomorrow Tuesday.
Winnie Mandela has seized upon yet another technical loophole and today resigned before being forced from office.

Winnie Mandela was angry over the manner in which the President and those in his office had handled her dismissal.

SOUNDBITE:
The President's letter, although dated Good Friday, 14 April 1995 was delivered to me in an unsealed envelope at 11.30 pm (Cutaway of letter) on Thursday, 13 April 1995 and purports to terminate my appointment as Deputy Minister only as from Tuesday 18 April 1995. Aside from this repeated clumsy, unprofessional and inept behaviour of the President's office, one thing is clear and that is that I am still Deputy Minister up until 18 April 1995.
SUPER CAPTION: Winnie Mandela

Winnie Mandela again challenged the president to provide the reasons
for her dismissal and reserved the right to start legal proceedings against him if she was unsatisfied.

She remains convinced that her second termination would again be legally invalid and unconstitutional. She called on the President to provide reasons for her dismissal.

SOUNDBITE:
The President owes it to me as a citizen of this country in my capacity as Deputy Minister.
SUPER CAPTION: Winnie Mandela

Winnie Mandela said that she would continue to serve the African
National Congress as a committed member and as president of the ANC Women's League.

SOUNDBITE:
In the circumstances, whilst still Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, I publicly resign from that office to pay attention to the more pressing issues I have set out here above.
SUPER CAPTION: Winnie Mandela

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