Johannesburg - Higher Education Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana has apologised "unreservedly" for slapping a woman at a club in Johannesburg this past weekend.
Manana came under fire after a sound clip emerged on Monday, in which he confesses to slapping Mandisa Duma for calling him gay.
The incident happened at Cubana in Fourways in the early hours of Sunday morning.
In the clip, Duma's brother, Phesheya, confronts Manana over the incident and after a heated discussion, Manana eventually admits to slapping Duma.
"My brother, when she swore at me and called me gay, I slapped her," Manana admits in isiZulu.
The angry brother then questions how Manana could hit a woman, especially during Women's month, and as a deputy minister.
Manana in a statement apologised "unreservedly" to Duma's family and South Africans for the incident.
"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.
"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 cooperation."
Manana also said he was aware of fake accounts that have been opened using his name in which he shows "less remorse to the victim and intended to further tarnish my name."
He added that he committed himself to engaging with Duma and her family, when the time was right, to apologise and take responsibility for 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."
The police ministry has since confirmed that a case of assault had been opened at the Douglasdale Police Station.
"Last night, we finally tracked down at which police station the case was opened and we found out that it was at Douglasdale... and we can confirm that a case was opened," Mhaga said.