Times Of Swaziland: MINI DRAMA AS MPS TELL SENIOR WARDER OFF

MINI DRAMA AS MPS TELL SENIOR WARDER OFF
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BY SIBUSISO SHANGE on 15/09/2021 08:57:00


MBABANE – The two incarcerated MPs were yesterday involved in a tell-off with
an officer from His Majesty’s Correctional Service before leaving the
courtroom.
The duo of Hosea Member of Parliament (MP) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Ngwempisi
MP Mthandeni Dube stand accused of contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act
along with Siphofaneni MP Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane who has been declared
a fugitive from the law since his whereabouts remain unknown. Trouble began when
the senior officer ordered his subordinates to leave with the MPs while the
legislators were engaged in talks with their defense team. The senior officer
told the warders that the MPs’ time was up.
Rights
“Do not take it that we do not know the law and our rights as we stand here.
We have a right to discuss with our lawyers and further get the ruling. What you
are doing is an infringement of our right and breach of the law and we cannot
allow that to happen. The law is clear that you should keep a distance when we
speak to our lawyers and you cannot rush us while we await the ruling,” MP
Mabuza told the senior officer. Those who were in court to give the MPs moral
support shouted ‘amandla’ as Mabuza responded to the senior officer. Mabuza
further told the officer that what he was doing was exactly what they were
fighting against in the country. “If we speak democracy, we mean we do not
want what you are doing right now,” Mabuza said. MP Dube was heard saying;
“If you want to kill us, do it now. We are tired of people who behave like
you.”
The MP alleged that it was not the first time the senior officer ill-treated
them.  As the MPs spoke, some of the security personnel murmured saying
“uyayibona ke lentfo lena,’ meaning you see this thing.” However, none of
the security personnel responded to the MPs who then continued with their
discussion with their lawyers. Also, the MPs raised their fists as they passed
through their supporters who were gathered around the accused dock. Some of the
supporters shouted at the warders whom they said obstructed their view. “Suka
wena sifuna kubona bahololi betfu,” shouted one of the MPs supporters.