Home » Trevor Noah in SA Urges Pressure on Dep Education Minister to Resign After Female Assault

Trevor Noah in SA Urges Pressure on Dep Education Minister to Resign After Female Assault

South African comedian Trevor Noah got serious this morning on a radio show, back home in SA, after a news bulletin about the country’s Deputy Minister of Higher Education allegedly assaulting two women at a club over the weekend. Trevor, whose mother was shot and injured by Trevor’s step-father in 2009, said: “One thing I […]

By SAPeople
04-07-18 14:13
in Eish!

South African comedian Trevor Noah got serious this morning on a radio show, back home in SA, after a news bulletin about the country’s Deputy Minister of Higher Education allegedly assaulting two women at a club over the weekend.

Trevor, whose mother was shot and injured by Trevor’s step-father in 2009, said: “One thing I learnt… is we have to put the shame on the person”.

He said this should not be allowed to “blow over” in three days and be forgotten, like most of these incidents. He told Metro FM that radio shows should use their platform to keep asking if the Deputy Minister, Mduduzi Manana, has resigned every single day and not let up until he does; and he encouraged listeners to flood Twitter with the hashtag #IsHeOut.

In Women’s Month in South Africa, during 16 Days of Activism with the spotlight on domestic abuse, Trevor said: “Why do we let it blow over? You don’t have to…”

Manana allegedly assaulted the two women at a club – Cubana – in Fourways, Johannesburg on Sunday morning.

In a taped phone call (listen below) with one of the victim’s brothers, Manana can be heard admitting that he slapped the man’s sister.

It’s reported that the Deputy Minister, who was at the club with four friends, became involved in a heated debate with a woman named in local media as Mandisa Duma, her cousin and a friend. They were arguing over who should replace President Jacob Zuma in December. The minister allegedly fervently supported Cyril Ramaphosa. While he was talking, Duma’s cousin began filming him, and one of his friends told her to stop.

Speaking to Times Live, Duma said: “[Manana] then flipped and said: ‘In fact‚ who are you people and why are you here?’ and ordered us to leave.”

She alleges that Manana slapped her cousin and also attacked her in the parking lot as they were trying to leave. She posted photos of her bruises on Twitter, tagging the Minister of Police.

During the taped call below, Manana can be heard denying that he followed the women to the parking lot to continue the altercation. He said it was the other men who hit them, and yesterday Police Minister Fikile Mbalula confirmed: “When I spoke to Mdu about this issue, he says he wasn’t involved. In terms of our policy, the victims deserve our protection.”

However, witnesses – including journalist Lumko Jimlongo (listen below) – contradict Manana’s version of events. Jimlongo reported seeing Manana “go ape”, kicking a woman when she fell and pulling her hair. Jimlongo said that shockingly most people just stood by and watched.

Police Minister Mbalula has tweeted: “The law must take its course. We are clear when it comes to gender-based violence. The victim must get our protection.” He said he has been informed that a case has been opened.

Update: In the past hour Mbalula has issued a statement, noting the “disturbing allegations”. He said the The alleged assault occurred at 04h00 on Sunday 6 August 2017 in Cubana Fourways in Gauteng; and said the protection of women and vulnerable groups are a number one priority of the Police Ministry.

According to the statement, Mbalula “maintains that victims of abuse and gender based violence who go to the SAPS stations with cases of assault must be treated as genuine victims”; and that he expects the woman to be treated with respect and dignity, and be given feedback by the Police.

“Women deserve love and protection from all of us. The police must be given space to investigate this case without fear or favour, no one is above the law irrespective of their position in society,” said Mbalula.

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/894466300705218560

The DA responded to the incident, saying: “In our country which is plagued by unacceptably high levels of gender-based violence, this behaviour only seeks to normalise and perpetuate violence against women.

“While we welcome that a criminal case has been opened against him, this is simply not enough.

“Deputy Minister Manana must immediately apologise and then resign from his post. He is clearly unsuited to hold it.”

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Trevor Noah was on DJ Fresh and Somizi’s big breakfast show to discuss his forthcoming shows this week in South Africa: “There’s a Gupta on My Stoep”. He has also appeared on Carte Blanche last night, and 5FM this morning.

Trevor also spoke candidly about his recent revelation that he had been suffering from depression (and thanked Jim Carrey for helping him). Trevor said depression is a “chemical thing in your brain when you perceive what is happening to you now” will be happening to you forever.

He added that coming from an African family, nobody has sympathy for you when you say you’re depressed – they tell you to go work; and that actually that is the best advice – to work (find purpose) and to socialise. For himself he said he redefined his purpose when he was depressed and realised it was to give and to be in a place where he could give.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTrevorNoah/videos/10155587111407453/

Trevor Noah on 5FM

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTrevorNoah/videos/10155587209277453/