Manana’s co-accused both fined R30 000

The Randburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday sentenced the two co-accused of former deputy minister Mduduzi Manana to fines of R30 000 or eight months in prison, half suspended for five years.

“The offence is serious in nature,” Magistrate Saras Naidoo said when handing down the sentences.

Cyril Madonsela, 35, and Thu- lani Mdaka, 42, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm after striking Mandisa Duma and Noluthando Mahlaba at Cubana restaurant in Fourways, Johannesburg, in August.

Naidoo said both women were unarmed and harmless and read out the clinical findings, listing the injuries sustained by Duma and Mahlaba.

As part of the recommendations of a social worker, Madonsela and Mdaka will undergo anger management, decision-making and substance abuse programmes.

“Both are first offenders and are remorseful and contribute meaningfully to their families … direct imprisonment would be too harsh and not suitable.”

Naidoo said a R3 000 fine or three months’ imprisonment, sought by lawyers representing the two accused, would be too lenient and wouldn’t send an adequate message to the public.

The sentencing comes a day after 16 days of Activism against Women and Children Abuse started. – ANA