ANC MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has lashed out at the British journalist whose alleged interview with her caused an outcry. Last week, the London Evening Standard published an interview by Nadira Naipaul, the wife of Nobel Literature prizewinner V.S. Naipaul.

Naipaul quoted Madikizela-Mandela as saying that her former husband, Nelson Mandela, had let the country's black and poor people down. She was also quoted as saying that he was being "wheeled out to collect money" as a "corporate foundation".

Madikizela-Mandela called V.S. Naipaul a controversial man, whose wife had had the temerity to fabricate an interview with her.

The London Evening Standard newspaper said this week that it cannot understand Madikizela-Mandela's denial of an event and conversation that clearly took place. The newspaper's managing editor, Doug Wills, was responding after Madikizela-Mandela denied ever giving an interview for a story published in the British newspaper. 

Madikizela-Mandela delivered the main eulogy at struggle stalwart Fatima Meer's funeral in Durban yesterday.