Manana’s slap on wrist sentence lambasted

The court handed Manana a fine of R100 000 or 12 months imprisonment. He also has to pay R26 000 in compensation to his victims.

Former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana arrives at Randburg Magistrates Court in Johannesburg on 13 November 2017. The former Deputy Minister was sentenced to 12 months in prison or a R100k fine after pleading guilty to the assault of 3 women at a club called Cubana. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia

Former deputy minister of higher education and training Mduduzi Manana’s sentence for three counts of assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm at a Sandton nightclub was not well received by South Africans yesterday.

Magistrate Elvis Reddy, taking all three counts as one for sentencing, handed Manana a fine of R100 000 or 12 months imprisonment. He also has to pay R26 oo0 in compensation to his victims.

“#MduduziManana earns R86k a month but, is fined R100k for assaulting three women! Is this justice or a joke?” Hloni Nyetanyane tweeted. His response was indicative of the sentiment against the sentence.

The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation also appeared unhappy, noting a conversation was needed around what justice meant for women survivors of violence.

“So #MduduziManana’s life continues. What about the victims? Do they feel justice was served?” it wrote on Twitter.

Lisa Vetten, gender activist and researcher specialising in violence against women, said it was time parliament gave the courts guidelines for sentencing in assault cases.

“Manana did all the right things to preserve his political career by going for counselling and beginning a foundation to assist girls,” said Vetten.

“So quite clearly, he has every intention of staying in politics and wants to go off and look penitent and do his acts of remorse and then return.

“But I think there is a broader question the ANC needs to ask itself around what makes a fit and proper person to be a Member of Parliament (MP). Considering MPs are there to uphold the Constitution and make law, they do need to be held to a higher standard,” Vetten said.

Manana resigned as deputy minister, but remains an ANC MP.

Reddy said Manana was to attend and complete an anger management programme and to complete 500 hours of community service to be rendered at the Valued Citizen Initiative organisation.

He also ordered Manana to compensate the three survivors of his assault – Noluthando Mahlaba with R5 014.20, Mandisa Duma with R20 263.34, and Thina Mopipa with R1 403.92 within seven days.

Because the offence involved a “great degree of violence”, Reddy found there was sufficient reason to declare Manana unfit to possess a firearm.

“The crime committed is very serious. The commission of the crime has changed the lives of the victims in a negative manner. The victims sustained physical injuries, felt humiliated, traumatised, and embarrassed. This incident has affected them.” – amandaw@citizen.co.za