Mduduzi Manana pleads guilty to assault in court

Following an assault scandal that involved two women who were beaten by former deputy minister of higher education Mduduzi Manana, he has pleaded guilty in court.

Manana appeared at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court today, where he was facing charges of assault brought against him by Mandisa Duma, the woman he hit at Cubana Lounge in Fourways, Johannesburg.

Manana was out with friends and his bodyguards when he got into an altercation with Duma and her friend over a comment about him being gay. In retaliation, Manana became physical with Duma, and in a video, he can be seen striking her to the ground while bystanders look on and later try to stop the beating.

Duma took to social media after the assault, sharing images of her bruised face and neck and describing the attack. Police Minister Fikile Mbalula picked up on the matter via Twitter, stating that Manana would be arrested and face the criminal charges.

Though he was not arrested, Manana did appear in court, and was released on bail of R5 000. He has since issued a statement saying he is seeking counselling and resigned from his Cabinet position.

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