Trial against Gauteng Deputy Speaker Mhlakaza-Manamela finally underway

Police VIP Protection officer Sgt Lizzie Mojapelo has described her alleged assault at the hands of Gauteng Deputy Speaker Vuyo Mhlakaza-Manamela. The sergeant accuses the politician of flying into a drunken rage before attacking her with punches and being pushed over chairs – which resulted in injuries which nearly cost her the life of her unborn baby.

AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit is supporting Mojapelo, after the state initially declined to prosecute the matter. Today, Mhlakaza-Manamela pleaded not guilty to charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and crimen injuria.

Mojapelo recalled that on the morning of the incident, Mhlakaza-Manamela arrived at home together with her husband, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Bhuti Manamela. Mojapelo alleges that Mhlakaza-Manamela was unsteady on her feet and carrying two bottles of alcohol. Soon after her arrival, the sergeant says an altercation ensued.

The court asked Mojapelo to demonstrate what happened. She testified: “As I walked towards [the] guardhouse, Mrs Manamela quickly got to the entrance and blocked me. She banged on [the] guardhouse saying that it was also her property. She blocked my entry to it. Mrs Manamela was stumbling around and could not compose herself. I managed to manoeuvre around her to get into the guard house,” she said.

Using her fists in a punching manner, Mojapelo showed the court what she alleges happened next. “I felt something strike me on my back as got into the guardhouse. I turned around as Mrs Manamela continued to assault me on my face. In response I said you are hurting me. She went on to assault me again,” said Mojapelo.

The sergeant testified that she was pushed over chairs and further assaulted while on the floor. She alleges at that point, Bhuti Manamela entered the guardhouse and pulled his wife off her.

Mojapelo was picked up at the address after calling her superiors for help. She made three separate reports on the incident – in the occurrence book (OB) at the Manamela house, at the police control point, and in her own pocketbook.

The Private Prosecution Unit’s spokesperson Barry Bateman says they are relieved the matter has finally started and Mojapelo has had an opportunity to tell her story to a court. “Lizzie has overcome many obstacles to reach this point and we are pleased to have helped her navigate those difficulties. We believe she is a strong witness. But importantly, she is also a diligent police officer who immediately documented the incident in the occurrence book at the house of the accused and in her own pocketbook. We remain disappointed, but not surprised, that the National Prosecuting Authority initially declined to prosecute and made an about-turn after our involvement. The unit remains committed to challenging selective prosecution and instances where suspects are shielded because of their political status,” said Bateman.

The matter continues tomorrow, 14 December 2022.

Background

The alleged assault took place in February 2020 at the home of Mhlakaza-Manamela and her husband, Bhuti Manamela, Deputy Minister of Higher Education. Mojapelo alleges that the suspect, in a drunken fit of rage, severely assaulted her. She further states that her police superiors did not want to help her open a case, but instead did everything in their power to frustrate those efforts.

A medical examination confirmed that Mojapelo sustained multiple injuries, and also confirmed she was 11 weeks pregnant at the time. She suffered vaginal bleeding and had to receive fertility treatment to ensure her pregnancy was not terminated.

Mojapelo, as a diligent and dutiful police officer, documented details of the alleged assault at every step of the process — from the occurrence book at the scene of the crime to compiling notes of her interactions with prosecutors and investigators. Despite the prima facie evidence against Mhlakaza-Manamela, the National Prosecuting Authority declined to pursue the matter.