Differing view on Manana sentence

JOBURG – NPA spokesperson said the sentence handed down on former Deputy Minister of Higher Education shows that no one is above the law and that violence perpetrated against women will not be tolerated in society.

November 22, 2017

Belinda Pheto 2 minutes read

Former Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Mduduzi Manana at the Radburg Magistrates' Court where he was sentenced to pay a R100 000 fine or a year's imprisonment.

The sentencing of the former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mduduzi Manana has elicited differing views.

The spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Phindi Mjonondwana said a few lessons can be taken from the sentence handed down. She pointed out that the NPA believes the sentence will send out a strong message that no one is above the law and that violence perpetrated against women will not be tolerated.

Manana pleaded guilty to three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after beating three women at a Fourways night club in August.

Manana was sentenced by the Randburg Magistrates’ Court to pay a R100 000 fine or 12 months’ imprisonment for the crimes he committed. He is also sentenced to perform 500 hours of community service. The court also ordered Manana to compensate the victims for damages they suffered during the brawl. The victims made compensation claims, which among others include medical expenses, nails and weaves.

Mjonondwana said the NPA did its best to convince the court to hand down a suitable sentence. She further cautioned critics to bear in mind that the court takes a lot of things into consideration in handing down a just sentence.

“The court [takes] into consideration the crime itself – where it happened and the gravity of the crime,” Mjonondwana said.

She added that personal circumstances of the accused are also considered “Manana manned up to his faults. He didn’t waste the court’s time, he pleaded guilty from the onset. The court had to consider such things also.”

The EFF in Gauteng, however, feels that the sentence was a slap on the wrist. Acting chairperson for EFF in Gauteng, Mandisa Mashego said the courts and the entire justice system were anti-black women. She said, “Nothing justifies the sentence. It’s not rational, and we don’t believe it will do anything for black women.

“Not only do we struggle to open the case, and get the NPA to treat it with professionalism and bring it to court without interfering with witnesses, or suppressing witnesses, or throwing away dockets at police stations, we now have to deal with sentences that are pro-elite.”

She said the message that is sent out by the court with Manana’s sentence is that when a man is wealthy and has some kind of standing in society he can disregard the rights of women, break the law and just get away with paying a fine.

Mashego added that they will look into the feasibility of having the sentence against Manana reviewed.