By Hassan Isilow
JOHANNESBURG (AA) - South African Deputy Minister of Higher Education Mduduzi Manana has been granted bail of 5,000 rand ($375) by a court in Johannesburg after he allegedly assaulted a woman at a nightclub on the weekend.
The minister appeared briefly in Randburg Magistrate’s court Thursday and found his case was postponed to Sept 13 by magistrate Liesel Davids.
He faces charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The minister evaded journalists who had gathered at the entrance of the court by using a side entrance.
Manana admitted in a statement Monday he allegedly assaulted Mandisa Duma on Sunday while at the Cubana Restaurant in the Fourways district of Johannesburg.
“I wish to apologize unreservedly to Ms. Mandisa Duma, her family, the government of South Africa and all South Africans, and women in particular, for the incident that happened at Cubana Restaurant in Fourways [district] over the weekend,” Manana said.
The Times newspaper broadcast on its website a recording, purportedly of a conversation between the minister and the victim's brother, in which the former allegedly admits to having slapped Duma after she called him "gay".
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) said it had noted with great disappointment the accusations leveled against Manana.
“Such behavior is unacceptable and should be roundly condemned by all in our society,” ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement Monday.
There have been growing calls from opposition and civil society groups for President Jacob Zuma to fire the minister.