The woman who has accused Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana of assault says she is determined to see the matter through.
Speaking to The Mercury on Monday, Mandisa Duma, 30, said she feared nothing, and had she, her cousin and friend been assaulted by anyone else, she would still raise the alarm.
Photographs of Duma’s battered and bruised body were circulated on social media following the altercation at Cubana in Fourways, Johannesburg.
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“My dad brought me up not to walk around with my head down in fear, I was brought up to be a strong person and if somebody does something to me, to say something regardless of whether they have a title or are in a position of power. We are all human beings,” she said.
In a statement on Monday, Manana apologised unreservedly to Duma after the altercation in the early hours of Sunday morning.
He also apologised to Duma’s family, the government of South Africa and all South Africans, and women in particular.
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Manana and his friend allegedly assaulted Duma, her cousin and friend.
They had been debating the ANC’s succession when Manana declared he wanted to make a speech.
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“My cousin took out her phone to take a video but his (Manana's) friend told her not to. My cousin said Mduduzi should be the one to say that and when he did my cousin put her phone away and Mduduzi went back to stand in the middle and make his speech. But then he turned around and asked who we were and why we were sitting with them, he called the bouncers to escort us but we already got up to leave.”
It was then that her cousin called Manana gay to which he allegedly slapped, kicked and pulled her by her hair.
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“Regardless of the extreme provocation, I should have exercised restraint. That shameful incident should not have happened. I know that my actions and those of the people in my company have disappointed and hurt many people in the country. As a leader, I should have known better and acted better. I will subject myself fully to the process of the law and give it my full co-operation,” said Manana.
He also committed to “engage with Ms Duma and her family to apologise, take responsibility and address the harm that has occurred” when the time is right.