Senior state prosecutor Anne-Marie Smith told the Randburg Magistrates’ Court that a fine will be a slap on the wrist for the former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mdududzi Manana.
Smith was responding to the defence’s mitigation that Manana could be fined R100 000, with addition that he does 500 hours community service. In her own words, Smith said Manana had ‘fat pockets’. She explained that R100 000 was back-pocket change that Manana could easily pay immediately.
Manana pleaded guilty in September to the three counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm after beating three women at Cubana Night Club in Fourways.
Smith conceded that direct imprisonment was not a suitable option but said the court needed to impose a sentence that will send out a strong message to women abusers. “There must be retribution, society expects more than a community service,” Smith told the court on 8 November.
To the shock of most people in the public gallery, who murmured as the info was given, she pointed out that Manana had two previous convictions of theft, dating back to 2004 and 2005 respectively. He paid a R500 admission of guilt fine for both offences.
Masisi Modikoane, a social worker who prepared one of the pre-sentencing reports, shed light on the one previous conviction. She said during consultations with Manana, he claimed that one conviction arises from the time when he had ‘forgotten’ to pay for a can of a coke at a grocery store.
Modikoane also told the court that during consultation with the victims, they told her that they each wanted R100 000 compensation from Manana for the injuries and humiliation they had suffered at his hands.
Defence attorney Michael Bill maintained that community service was a suitable sentence for Manana. He pointed out that putting him under correctional supervision would make Manana’s life difficult as he would continuously have to report to police stations when he travels out of Gauteng.
One of the conditions for correctional supervision is that the offender must refrain from visiting taverns and places where alcohol is sold. This one condition, Bill found to be problematic, especially looking at the field that Manana is serving in.
“Most restaurants sell alcohol. The nature of his job means that he has to go to conference venues where alcohol is sold and consumed. How will this allow him to continue with his economic activities?” Bill questioned the officer from the Department of Correctional Services.
The officer responded by saying that this condition is part of their standard conditions for all offenders who are under correctional services.
The officer said with arrangement, Manana could visit such places on condition that he himself didn’t consume alcohol.
Smith also told the court about claims that the victims wanted to be compensated for: Thina Mapipa is claiming R250 for nails broken during the assault, R600 for hair and R553.92 for medical expenses.
The other victim, Noluthando Mahlaba, is claiming R524.28 for medical expenses, R1 200 for hair and R290 for nails and R3 000 towards buying hair products that will let her hair grow back as it was damaged during the brawl.
The third victim, Mandisa Duma, is claiming R11 658.90 towards medical expenses, R1399.90 for her reading glasses that were broken during the assault, R5 000 for her wig that was damaged and R905 towards the installation of that wig. Duma also had a claim for a shoe she lost during the assault.
Smith told the court that the above claims didn’t stop the victims from pursuing civil claims against Manana.
The defence attorney said Manana was willing to compensate the victims for the claims they presented to court without contestation or interrogation.
Magistrate Elvi Reddy has reserved sentencing to 13 November.
Related:
WATCH: Deputy Minister of Higher Education assaults two women in Fourways
WATCH: Deputy Minister of Higher Education expected in court
UPDATE: Mduduzi Manana apologises to Duma family for assault in Fourways
WATCH: Mduduzi Manana is granted R5 000 bail
Manana treated like any other accused person – NPA
UPDATE: #Manana pleads guilty and a second suspect is arrested
Case against Manana co-accused postponed
Late reports cause delay in Manana sentencing
Media denied permission to broadcast #MduduziManana sentencing proceedings
