DA lays charges against Mduduzi Manana

The charges were laid at the Douglasdale Police Station in Johannesburg on Monday. 

"This follows the release of a voice clip where Manana could be heard trying to extort his former domestic worker, Ms Christine Wiro. Manana clearly abused his privileged position and subjected Ms Wiro to financial pressure to avoid further prosecution,” says the DA’s Terry Stander says.

Wiro accused Manana of assault but later withdrew the charges. In a statement Manana accused her of trying to extort money from him. 

Stander says Manana broke his oath office when he was convicted for assaulting three women in a nightclub in 2017 but no action has been taken by the ruling party or parliament.

"Although the DA has referred him to the parliamentary ethics committee last week Monday we do not trust that parliament ethics committee will sit to deal with Manana."

 Stander says instead of acting against Manana the ANC has instead vilified the victims. 

"South Africa is beset by gender-based violence and the ANC government appears to be tacitly condoning by retaining people like Manana in influential government positions. Manana belongs in jail and not in Parliament. Taxpayers should not be funding this convicted criminal's salary.

"The decision by the South African Police Service and National Prosecuting Authority to continue pursuing the charges against him must be commended and the DA supports the investigation.”