Mduduzi Manana cites 'extreme provocation'
The deputy higher education minister Mduduzi Manana has apologised.
He has been accused of assaulting a woman at a popular restaurant in Fourways at the weekend.
Manana says: "Regardless of the extreme provocation, I should have exercised restraint."
In a statement, the minister says: "I wish to apologise unreservedly to Ms Duma, her family, the government and all South Africans, and women in particular, for the incident that happened at Cubana Restaurant in Fourways."
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He says it should not have happened.
"I will subject myself fully to the process of the law and give it my full cooperation. I also commit myself to, when the time is right, further engage with Ms Duma and her family to apologise, take responsibility and address the harm that has occurred."
Manana says he will meet with the ANC and President Jacob Zuma to give a full account of the incident.
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The ANC says Manana's actions are unacceptable.
It says he must face the law irrespective of his position.