Times Of Swaziland: BACEDE FOUND WITH CELLPHONE AGAIN BACEDE FOUND WITH CELLPHONE AGAIN ================================================================================ Stanley Khumalo on 20/09/2023 16:01:00 MANZINI - For the second time, former Hosea Constituency MP, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza, has been reportedly found with contraband at the Matsapha Maximum Prison. According to sources, the former Member of Parliament (MP) legislator was apprehended last Tuesday night while in his cell with a foreign object. According to sources, Mabuza was supposedly using a cellular phone to communicate with people supposedly from outside the correctional facility. According to sources, the former legislator was using headsets to disguise the use of the cellular phone. Sources claimed that the use of the headsets somehow alerted the correctional facility personnel that something was amiss. They claim that as Mabuza was communicating on the phone, his voice was loud, supposedly because the headsets muffled any other interfering sounds for him. It was claimed that his voice surpassed the sound of the television set on the day, which drew the attention of an officer who was on duty. It was claimed that thereon, the cell where he resides was searched and a Samsung branded cellular phone was found in his possession. Some sources claim that during the search, things became physical as there was retaliation from Mabuza who was against being searched. It was claimed that the Rapid Response Unit had to be called in to engage in the search. His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Gugulethu Dlamini confirmed that contraband was found in Mabuza’s possession. She said an enquiry file had been opened in order to investigate how the cellular phone got into the prison. Dlamini said it was a criminal offence for an inmate to be found in possession of contraband. The PRO further confirmed that the discovery of the mobile phone being in Mabuza’s possession was the second instance since he was incarcerated in the facility. Dlamini said there was an ongoing investigation which sought to establish how in December 10, 2021, Mabuza got to have a cellular phone in his possession. Confiscation Following the confiscation of the said cellphones, in what was said to be a random search within the correctional facility, the Commissioner General (COMGEN) Phindile Dlamini, instituted an investigation. Parallel to the investigation, which would determine the charges proffered against the people responsible for the smuggling of the contraband into the correctional facility, the former legislator was placed in solitary confinement. This resulted in him being allowed one visitor, who delivers his food at the correctional facility and an interaction with his legal team for consultation purposes. In a previous inrterview, the PRO informed this publication that when there were ongoing investigations within the facility, prison authorities had the right to take any measures to ensure that same was not jeorpdasised. This was when Mabuza was placed in solitary confinement. Solitary confinement is a form of imprisonment distinguished by living in a single cell with little or no meaningful contact with other inmates, strict measures to control contraband, and the use of additional security measures and equipment. The practice is used when a prisoner is considered dangerous to himself or to other inmates and is suspected of organising or being engaged in illegal activities outside of prison. The former MP was reportedly found in possession of the gadgets on December 10, 2021, during a periodic random search on his person and cell.