Manana’s date with fate

IN THE DOCK: Former deputy minister of higher education and training Mduduzi Manana (right) in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday for sentencing in his assault case.

THE sentencing proceedings of former deputy minister of higher education Mduduzi Manana, who is charged with assault, were postponed yesterday by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

Defence representative Michael Motswaneng Bill said they only received the probation officer’s report on Monday and the correctional services report yesterday, which meant they had not been able to review both reports.

State prosecutor AnneMarie Smith agreed with the defence to postpone the matter.

Magistrate Ramsamy Reddy questioned what had happened during the course of the eight-week postponement.

“There was a lot of consultation to do and the time granted was not enough,” Smith replied.

Reddy granted the postponement.

The sentencing of Manana’s co-accused was also postponed in another courtroom to November 16.

The matter was due to resume today.

Manana pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm for hitting two women at a Sandton nightclub earlier this year. The public uproar eventually led to his stepping down from his position. – ANA