Confusion between the police and the NPA over who should make the call to arrest Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana may have kept him out of jail yesterday. A Cape Times report says Manana has admitted to assaulting a young woman, Mandisa Duma, at Cubana Restaurant in Fourways at the weekend. An NPA spokesperson claimed the NPA had not received the docket by 4pm yesterday afternoon.

Police Ministry spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga said yesterday: ‘The investigation is at a advanced stage. The docket has been given to the prosecutor to give a decision.’

The report says a case of common assault was opened at the Douglasdale Police Station by Duma and her cousin Thando Mahlaba. Both were assaulted in the early hours of Sunday after a verbal exchange over the ANC succession debate and allegedly calling Manana gay.

Duma’s brother said there had been a verbal altercation between his sister and Manana, who later slapped her in full view of other people in the restaurant. ‘He then slapped one of the ladies who was with her, being my cousin. From there they left and they (Manana) followed them outside and began to assault my sister,’ he said.

Full Cape Times report (subscription needed)