A court has convicted anti-apartheid icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and broker Addy Moolman on dozens of counts of fraud and theft in connection with a bogus bank loan scandal.
"The state's evidence is overwhelming," said magistrate Peet Johnson at a Pretoria court today.
Defence lawyers had argued Nelson Mandela's former wife, dubbed "the Mother of the Nation" for her fight against white rule, had been duped into participating in a fraud scheme she knew nothing about.
But Mr Johnson said a suggestion that Madikizela-Mandela had not been told of the fraud scheme was "completely improbable" and found her guilty on 43 counts of fraud and 25 of theft. Moolman was convicted on 58 counts of fraud and 25 of theft.
Both had pleaded not guilty to 85 charges of fraud and theft which carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Madikizela-Mandela showed no reaction when the verdicts were announced in a courtroom packed with media, family members and supporters of the two accused.
State prosecutors alleged letters bearing Madikizela-Mandela's signature were used to secure loans for bogus employees of the African National Congress Women's League, which she heads.
Madikizela-Mandela's lawyers accused Moolman, bank staff and Women's League employees of lying about her role in the scheme.
Madikizela-Mandela's image was tarnished when she was convicted in 1991 of kidnapping and being an accessory to assault in connection with the death of a 14-year-old township activist.
Her six-year jail sentence was reduced to a fine on appeal.