Bans lifted but fetters remain

Press, 9 July 1986, Page 10

Bans lifted but fetters remain

NZPA-Reuter ■ Johannesburg South Africa said yesterday that it had lifted restrictions which have bound the black activist, Winnie Mandela, for most of the last 24 years. Except for three months in 1976, Mrs Mandela, the 51-year-old wife of the jailed black nationalist leader, Nelson Mandela, has been restricted by a variety of Government orders since 1962. The orders limited her movements and stopped the news media from quoting her.

“I can confirm that all restriction orders on Mrs Mandela have been lifted,” said a Law and Order Ministry spokesman Henry Beck.

But Mr Beck advised reporters to consult lawyers before quoting Mrs Mandela, saying her statements could contra-

vene state of emergency regulations. Mrs Mandela’s position has been uncertain since April when banning orders on several other activists were set aside by a milestone legal ruling. Her lawyer said at the time that the order had been lifted but this was denied by the Government. For several years Mrs Mandela was banished to the remote Orange Free State town of Brandfort, where a succession of foreigners went to visit her. She defied the order last year by moving back to her home in Soweto, outside Johannesburg. Mrs Mandela lost a legal case against her banning order last January but was granted leave of appeal. The appeal was to be heard next month but the authorities have said they will no longer contest the case.