Ms Thandi Nontenja
UDEMWO Secretary General
Statement by Ms Thandi Nontenja, UDEMWO Secretary General
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is disturbed by the fact that the former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana is again in the papers for alleged women abuse.
Not long ago, he was released on bail after he assaulted a woman in Johannesburg. How many women must suffer at his hands before he is stopped? Has he become a serial offender?
Why does the governing party continue to support and protect alleged women abusers? Government spends millions of rands on campaigns against women abuse, whilst the ANC draws a laager around some of its leaders for no apparent reason, but possibly for political favours?
In addition, the spineless Women’s League’s lukewarm reaction is a condemnation of the women at its helm. It is the ultimate insult when women leaders defend their male counterparts at the expense of other women. Why have a Women’s League if it is nothing but an apron for immoral men to hide behind?
UDEMWO does not understand why Manana is still warming a seat in parliament? If the ANC cared enough about the plight of women and children, he should have been booted out of the national assembly.
We commend the National Prosecuting Authority for not dropping the charges against Manana and we hope that justice will take its course. Also, state prosecutors must not spare Manana because of his status. The magistrate presiding over this matter, should throw the book at him.
Lastly, UDEMWO believes that men in Manana’s position should be the daily embodiment of the campaign against gender violence. In fact, when a prominent South African man makes himself guilty of women abuse it makes it easy for the average man and boy to emulate this behaviour.
Issued by:
Ms Thandi Nontenja
UDEMWO Secretary General
