Late reports cause delay in Manana sentencing

JOBURG- Sentencing proceedings in the case against former Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Mduduzi Manana were postponed today, at the request of the defence.

Former Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Mduduzi Manana, was due to be sentenced at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Defence attorney, Michael Bill, told the court that they didn’t have enough time to peruse the reports.

According to Bill, they received the correctional supervision report yesterday, 6 November, at 3pm and only received the probation officer’s report this morning at 10am.

WATCH: Deputy Minister of Higher Education assaults two women in Fourways

Senior State Prosecutor, Annemarie Smith, conceded that the state also received the reports at the same timelines given by the defence.

Magistrate Elvis Reddy was not impressed with the late submission of reports. He told the state that those dealing with the reports had exactly eight weeks to conclude their work. Smith responded that the officers on the case said there were too many people to be interviewed and there was not enough time to do so.

Although Reddy told the defence that he didn’t want any more postponements in this matter, he granted the postponement. Sentencing proceedings have been adjourned to 8 November at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.