Mrs Mandela says her character has been "butchered"

Winnie Mandela Faces New Accusations

The BBC television programme Inside Story says it has evidence that Mrs Mandela helped beat the boy, Stompei Seipei Moeketsi, to death and then disposed of his body.

Mrs Mandela, in an impassioned response, said she had watched in painful silence as her contribution to South Africa's democracy had been vilified and ridiculed and her character butchered.

Stompei Moeketsi's murder blamed on Mrs Mandela

Inside Story bases its allegations on the testimony of one man - Katiza Cebekhulu, a former member of Mrs Mandela's bodyguard, the so-called Mandela United Football Club in late 1988.

He says he witnessed Mrs Mandela participating in the beating of Stompei.

Mrs Mandela and one other man lifted Stompei and dropped him several times on the concrete in Mrs Mandela's bedroom, he said. They hit him on the back of the head until his head went soft. Stompei later fainted.

Mr Cebekhulu also alleges that he saw Mrs Mandela stab Stompei and that Stompei died shortly afterwards.

Key witness has gone into hiding

He further alleges that a doctor who was called to attend Stompei, Doctor Abu Baker Asvat, was also murdered. He was shot dead a week after witnessing Stompei's injuries.

Mr Cebekhulu is in hiding.

Mrs Mandela was convicted in 1991 for taking part in Stompei's kidnapping. She received a six year suspended jail sentence, which was commuted to a fine on appeal. But she denies these latest allegations.

Mrs Mandela said she would testify to the Truth and Reconcilation commission, which wants to question her in camera, to protect those who testify against her: "I intend to bare my soul to the security of my country," she said, "and I beg that it be done in public."

New book also accuses President Mandela

President Nelson Mandela has denied claims that he helped his former wife fight the murder charge by arranging for the kidnapping and imprisonment of Mr Cebekhulu.

According to a book released in South Africa by journalist Fred Bridgland, the former Zambian president, Kenneth Kaunda, implicated Mr Mandela in abducting and arranging for the imprisonment of Mr Cebekhulu.

The book, entitled Katiza's journey beneath the surface of South Africa's shame documents the life of Cebekhulu since leaving the country.