Cape Town - Deputy High Education Minister Mduduzi Manana is still receiving VIP police protection, despite being charged with two counts of assault, Police Minister Fikile Mbalula said on Thursday.
"If he is still a deputy minister, we will protect him," Mbalula told reporters at Parliament.
"We protect everybody who is appointed by the president, because they are the property of the State and of government and because that's what we do."
He was arguing against claims that Manana was receiving special treatment after he allegedly assaulted a woman at the Cubana nightclub in Fourways, Johannesburg, over the weekend.
"There are procedures you need to follow when you take away VIP protection."
He said if Manana were to "step aside" his VIP protection would be revoked.