Trial against Gauteng Deputy Speaker Mhlakaza-Manamela finally underway
13 December 2022
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.