The Winnie Factor

By DAVID ELLIS/

Aware of Winnie Mandela's erratic behavior in recent years, many South Africans were guessing that the once-divorced Nelson might give his wife the shove following his release from prison. Not so. With Winnie facing trial in February on kidnapping and assault charges, Nelson is now springing to her defense. The government has subjected her to a "great deal of persecution," he says, adding that the press found her guilty before she appears in court. "I was unable to give her protection when I was in prison," he explains. "((But)) I am now here." Should the verdict go against Mandela's wife, it could further endanger the delicate negotiations he is conducting with Pretoria.

With reporting by David E. Thigpen