President Jacob Zuma said on Monday he has “learned with great concern and is disturbed by the allegations of assault on a woman patron” by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training‚ Mduduzi Mananaat‚ at Cubana nightclub and restaurant in Johannesburg at the weekend.
“The Police Minister‚ Mr Fikile Mbalula‚ has indicated that a case has been opened with the South African Police Service.
“President Zuma has confidence that the law enforcement agencies will deal with the matter effectively in line with the laws of the land‚” the presidency said in a statement on Monday.
Zuma said he stood against women abuse.
“The South African Government has made violence against women a priority crime. Women have a right to safety and security and must not be attacked or abused by anyone‚ anywhere in the country‚ regardless of the position of the either the perpetrator or victim. South Africa must be safe for all women‚“ said President Zuma.
The statement added the President has urged all with information on the matter to cooperate with the authorities.
Mbalula‚ in a separate statement‚ confirmed a case of assault has been opened with the South African Police Service.
He said the alleged assault took place at 4am on Sunday‚ 6 August 2017.
Mbalula said he took the allegations very seriously.
ALSO READ:'I apologise unreservedly' for 'shameful incident' at Cubana - Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana
“Women deserve love and protection from all of us. The Police must be given space to investigate this case without fear or favour‚ no one is above the law irrespective of their position in Society‚” the Minister said.
The incident happened after the restaurant at Cedar Square in Fourways had closed.
Manana is accused of lashing out after a debate on who should succeed President Jacob Zuma at the ANC’s elective conference in December.
Mandisa Duma‚ who was with her friend and cousin at the restaurant‚ claimed that she was with Manana and his four friends inside the Cubana when Manana chased them out of the venue. Duma claimed that while walking out Manana slapped her cousin across the face after she made a comment about his sexuality.
Manana‚ in the statement issued by the Department of Higher Education and Training on Monday‚ extended an offer of accountability to the Duma family‚ government and the ruling party.
“Regardless of the extreme provocation‚ I should have exercised restraint.
“I wish to apologise 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 over the weekend‚” he said.
“I also commit myself to‚ when the time is right‚ further engage with Ms Duma and her family to apologise‚ take responsibility and address the harm that has occurred.
“I will also meet with my organisation‚ the ANC‚ and President Zuma to give a full account of the incident.”
Zuma says police can deal with Manana over Cubana assault
President Jacob Zuma said on Monday he has “learned with great concern and is disturbed by the allegations of assault on a woman patron” by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training‚ Mduduzi Mananaat‚ at Cubana nightclub and restaurant in Johannesburg at the weekend.
“The Police Minister‚ Mr Fikile Mbalula‚ has indicated that a case has been opened with the South African Police Service.
“President Zuma has confidence that the law enforcement agencies will deal with the matter effectively in line with the laws of the land‚” the presidency said in a statement on Monday.
Zuma said he stood against women abuse.
“The South African Government has made violence against women a priority crime. Women have a right to safety and security and must not be attacked or abused by anyone‚ anywhere in the country‚ regardless of the position of the either the perpetrator or victim. South Africa must be safe for all women‚“ said President Zuma.
The statement added the President has urged all with information on the matter to cooperate with the authorities.
Mbalula‚ in a separate statement‚ confirmed a case of assault has been opened with the South African Police Service.
He said the alleged assault took place at 4am on Sunday‚ 6 August 2017.
Mbalula said he took the allegations very seriously.
ALSO READ:'I apologise unreservedly' for 'shameful incident' at Cubana - Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana
“Women deserve love and protection from all of us. The Police must be given space to investigate this case without fear or favour‚ no one is above the law irrespective of their position in Society‚” the Minister said.
The incident happened after the restaurant at Cedar Square in Fourways had closed.
Manana is accused of lashing out after a debate on who should succeed President Jacob Zuma at the ANC’s elective conference in December.
Mandisa Duma‚ who was with her friend and cousin at the restaurant‚ claimed that she was with Manana and his four friends inside the Cubana when Manana chased them out of the venue. Duma claimed that while walking out Manana slapped her cousin across the face after she made a comment about his sexuality.
Manana‚ in the statement issued by the Department of Higher Education and Training on Monday‚ extended an offer of accountability to the Duma family‚ government and the ruling party.
“Regardless of the extreme provocation‚ I should have exercised restraint.
“I wish to apologise 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 over the weekend‚” he said.
“I also commit myself to‚ when the time is right‚ further engage with Ms Duma and her family to apologise‚ take responsibility and address the harm that has occurred.
“I will also meet with my organisation‚ the ANC‚ and President Zuma to give a full account of the incident.”
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