Deputy minister of higher education and training, Mduduzi Manana, has apologised for assaulting a woman and believes "an apology is enough to fix the damage".
"Allow me to extend my apologies to the nation at large and the victims of assault, an apology is enough to fix the damages. Let's allow the law," Manana said in a tweet on Monday following an outcry by South Africans on social media.
Manana allegedly attacked Mandisa Duma at Cubana restaurant on Sunday night and video of the incident went viral.
She broke a rib, busted a knee and now struggles to walk, according to her brother Phesheya Duma.
Responding to the tweet, people called on Manana to hand himself over to police instead of apologising on social media.
Police said Manana would be facing charges of assault but no arrests have been made yet.
ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa condemned the incident.
Asked what disciplinary measures would be taken against Manana, Kodwa said a determination had not been made yet.
"Since the incident, we have been trying to get hold of him but all attempts have been fruitless. We are hoping that he will land in Cape Town this afternoon [on Monday] with other members of Parliament who are coming for the [Vote of No Confidence] sitting [on Tuesday].
"We are here, waiting for him. We need to talk to him."