Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance Women Network (DAWN) said on Tuesday that former deputy higher education minister Mduduzi Manana needed to realise the extent of the suffering of those who were less politically connected and must earn the justice he purportedly wants delivered to victims.
"He appeared in no way contrite or remorseful about his actions and the sentence imposed, was glad to have escaped time behind bars and got off lightly," DAWN leader Denise Robinson said in a statement of Manana's sentence for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm.
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Robinson said DAWN welcomed Manana undergoing community service, and hoped he would be placed in a centre where he would have to provide services to victims of trauma.
"While the fine of R100,000 will hardly make a dent to his pocket, it will not compensate for the harm, humiliation and disrespect shown to the women he assaulted at Cubana night club."
On Monday Magistrate Ramsamy Reddy sentenced Manana to 12 months imprisonment or pay a R100 000 fine, complete 500 hours of community service, attend counselling and pay each of the victims damage claims that were submitted by the State.
Former deputy minister of Higher Education Mduduzi Manana moments before he was sentenced at the Randburg Magistrates Court for assaulting three women at Cubana in August.
FILE PHOTO: Lindi Masinga/ANA
Manana's legal representative, Nqobizitha Mlilo, made a cash payment of the fine on Wednesday afternoon at the Randburg Magistrates Court.
Robinson added that it would not send a strong message to other potential abusers or act as a deterrent to those who had been moulded by patriarchal attitudes.
"DAWN will continue to push for Manana’s resignation from parliament and will work to ensure a new beginning for the victims of abuse," Robinson said.