2 Witnesses Refuse to Testify Against Winnie Mandela
Two key state witnesses refused to testify against Winnie Mandela today, saying they feared reprisal after another witness was kidnaped several days ago.
The witnesses, Kenneth Kgase and Tabiso Mono, appeared in the Rand Supreme Court but refused to give any evidence against Mandela, wife of African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela.
She faces kidnaping and assault charges for her alleged involvement in the abduction and beatings of Kgase, Mono, Gabriel Mekgwe and Stompie Seipei in December, 1988. Seipei, 14, was found dead days later. Mekgwe was allegedly kidnaped Sunday hours before he was to testify.
Kgase, 31, glanced repeatedly at Winnie Mandela and three co-defendants as he explained his refusal to testify.
“I really like my life; I want my life,” he said.
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