Cabinet mum on Manana, Mugabe

THE CABINET has not taken a stance on whether Deputy Minister of Higher Education Mduduzi Manana should resign or not for allegedly assaulting a woman in Sandton a week ago.

The cabinet also steered clear of discussing Zimbabwean First Lady Grace Mugabe, who allegedly assaulted another woman in the same area at the weekend. They refused, moreover, to discuss the question of diplomatic immunity for Mugabe.

This emerged during a media briefing by Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo following a cabinet meeting yesterday.

She said that while the cabinet had discussed the issue of gender-based violence, it had not discussed Manana, who had been appointed by President Jacob Zuma. The cabinet would not have discussed the status of his appointment.

“We did not discuss whether he should step down or should be fired. That resides within the ambit of the Presidency. We did not discuss specific individuals and cases. The matters we talk about are all before court.”

Manana was granted R5 000 bail by the Randburg Magistrates’ Court last Friday. Several other cabinet ministers have called for Manana to resign or to be fired.

Dlodlo added that it would also be up to Manana himself to decide whether to quit or not.

She also said they had not discussed the issue of Grace Mugabe and the issue of diplomatic immunity. “It is a matter between the police and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.”

Grace Mugabe has been caught in a storm surrounding the assault of a 20-year-old woman at a hotel in Joburg. Opposition parties and civil society groups have called for action against Mugabe, saying she must not get off scot-free.