Manana takes aim at Wiro with charges

ANC MP Mduduzi Manana appears to be fighting back, and has laid perjury charges against his former domestic worker, Christine Wiro.

Manana, according to reports, said the audio that surfaced recently, where he is alleged to be offering Wiro R100 000 to drop the case, was further proof that Wiro attempted to use the allegations to extort money from him.

The former deputy minister of higher education is accused of pushing Wiro downstairs a week ago. Wiro dropped charges she initially laid against Manana.

Manana seems to be the target of many political organisations, with the Democratic Alliance and ANC saying the allegations are concerning.

The DA said they planned to lay a complaint with the police for extortion and corruption against Manana this week.

This was followed by head of the office of the Presidency Zizi Kodwa, who has committed the ANC to instituting an internal hearing on the allegation of assault against the MP.

Kodwa, speaking to Morning Live on Wednesday, said the ANC was not turning a blind eye to the allegations.

He said the matter was referred to the integrity committee, and was also being dealt with by the office of the secretary-general.

“We don’t want to send an impression that because he is a member of parliament and a member of the national executive committee‚ we will not act,” Kodwa said.

Manana has threatened to open a case of extortion against Wiro. The ANC MP denied the allegations and accused Wiro of attempting solicit a R100 000 bribe.

The National Prosecuting Authority reportedly received Wiro’s complaint docket from the Douglasdale police station, and are said to have refused to withdraw the charges and told the police to continue investigations on the matter.