DEPUTY higher education minister Mduduzi Manana’s apology has been rejected by South Africans.
Manana angered people when a video of him assaulting Mandisa Duma on Sunday at the Cubana Restaurant in Fourways, Joburg went viral.
The incident was allegedly sparked by an argument Manana got into with Duma, her friend and her cousin during which she called him gay.
The 16 second video shows a group of men beating a woman.
Mandisa opened a case at Fourways Police Station and soon the video was being shared on social media.
Manana yesterday issued a statement apologising, but claiming he was provoked.
“Regardless of extreme provocation, I should have exercised restraint. That shameful incident should not have happened,” part of the statement read.
He also promised to fully co-operate with the police. However, opposition parties were not satisfied.
- Cope chairman Pakes Dikgetsi said he believed the apology was not sincere and Manana should not be forgiven.
- DA MP Hlomela Bucwa called on Manana to resign and said the DA would be reporting him for going against the executive ethics code, which all MPs must follow.
- The EFF called on Manana to hand himself over to the police and to name the men who helped him beat the victim.
- Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, national chairwoman of the IFP Women’s Brigade, said Manana had to act on his apology and encourage other men not to be violent towards women.
- ANC Youth League spokesman Mlondi Mkhize said: “The apology is an indication that he is not denying what he did and we still expect the law to take its full course.”
- ANC Women’s League secretary-general Meokgo Matuba said: “While we take into account that someone is innocent until proven guilty, we are resolute in supporting victims of violence.”
- The Commission for Gender Equality said it’s dismayed to receive another report of brutal gender-based violence against a woman, and the alleged failure by bouncers and patrons to provide assistance to a helpless victim who was being slapped.
