The African National Congress has noted the sentence imposed on Comrade Winnie Madikizela Mandela and respects the due process of the law.

Believing that every person has the right to exhaust the full course of the law, we recognize the fact that she has filed for leave to appeal and hope she will be given the opportunity to exercise her full rights under the law.

We are therefore not in a position to make a comprehensive statement on the matter until she has been allowed to make use of all channels open to her in terms of the law. In the meantime, we appeal to all South Africans to allow Comrade Winnie's legal representatives to pursue the application for leave to appeal, and for all of us to respect her right to explore all avenues within the context of the laws of the country.

Meanwhile we respect the process of justice and will allow thelaw to take its course.

Issued by :

Smuts Ngonyama
Head of Presidency and Communication
54 Sauer Street
Johannesburg
2001

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the African National Congress.