The state revealed that former deputy minister of higher education, Mduduzi Manana has two previous convictions of theft. The one relates to an incident in 2004 where Manana stole a can of coke and paid an admission of guilt fine of R500.
The revelations were made in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, the second day of sentencing of the former deputy minister who has pleaded guilty to three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He hit two women at a Cubana nightclub earlier this year.
Also read:Here’s why people think Mduduzi Manana won’t go to jail
On the charges of assault, Mduduzi Manana’s defence lawyer, Michael Bill, suggested that his client be given a suspended 12-month sentence for a period of five years, that he attend anger management classes and that he pay a fine of R100 000.
Sentencing will be handed down on Monday, 13 November at 14:00.
Twitter had mixed reactions to the news:
Yaz #MduduziManana is the real cause of making Metro Police demand R5 klipa for cold drink, he was convicted for stealing yi can ye Coke, paid R500 fine, remo smokong pic.twitter.com/xDQNxjDiK2
— uMbhali Wodumo (@umbhaliwodumo) November 8, 2017
A whole lot of a former Deputy Minister of Higher Education Mduduzi Manana was once convicted for stealing a can of coke. #MduduziManana pic.twitter.com/Nn0bjKVdZ5
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) November 8, 2017
How did Mduduzi Manana become member of Parliament and member of the executive while having a criminal record. #MduduziManana
— #Seshoka~Lisi~Sello (@Seshokasello62) November 9, 2017
Funny that y'all are making fun of #MduduziManana and his coke conviction,yet y'all steal from supermarkets every day,check yourself before you also appear on some court papers for a packet of biltong
— Mak®™ (@KabeloMak_) November 8, 2017