JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The widow of Alan Paton, who wrote “Cry the Beloved Country,” has expressed anger at the recent resurfacing of a letter she wrote 10 years ago.
In the letter, which was published in the London Sunday Times, Anne Paton, now 81, said she wanted to leave South Africa due to the crime, which caused her “endless suffering.”
South Africa’s Sunday Independent reported that prior to writing the letter, Paton had been hijacked and mugged and nine of her friends had been murdered.
Paton, who now lives in England, said she is angry that the letter, which has been circulated by e-mail, supports the arguments of people protesting crime.
"I have written a lot of letters talking about South Africa, which were also published in newspapers,” Paton said. “Why is this letter being singled out now? I think that it is ridiculous and mischievous."
In the letter, Paton said she is glad her husband did not live to see the new South Africa, the Independent reported.
