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ROLAND RUDD RELEASED BY ROYAL PARDON

18/07/2016 03:59:00 BY MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE

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MBABANE – Prominent political activist Roland Rudd has been released from prison.

Rudd was released from custody after he became one of the beneficiaries of the Royal pardon which was recently announced by His Majesty King Mswati III.
He was released from Bhalekane Correctional facility on Saturday after having served almost four years of his seven-year sentence.

The court had initially sentenced him to a total of 12 years imprisonment for, among other offences, attempted murder and possession of a firearm, but the court ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
He was supposed to be released in 2018.

During the Correctional Services Day and official opening of the Malkerns Industrial School last year, the King announced that all prisoners doing time at His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) would have their sentences reduced.
His Majesty also spared the lives of two prisoners who were on death row who will now serve life sentences.

“As we have said that the Correctional Services has a duty to rehabilitate offenders and make them realise their mistakes, we are pleased to pardon serving prisoners by reducing their sentences,” said the King, much to a deafening round of applause.
In April this year, 240 prisoners were reported to have been freed after they also received the King’s pardon.

His Majesty’s Correctional Services PRO Assistant Commissioner Bongani Khumalo, when asked about the political activist’s release, said it was not only Rudd who benefitted from the Royal pardon, but all other inmates were beneficiaries.

Welcoming

Upon his release on Saturday, Rudd’s family organised a welcoming party for him. The party, which was attended by close family members, was held in Big Bend in the Lubombo Region.
Rudd was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment without an option of a fine by Chief Jutice Bheki Maphalala.

Rudd had been charged with the attempted murder of soldiers and unlawful possession of a firearm. He shot at Thokozani Mkwanyana, Bhekinkhosi Sikhondze, Mlondi Xaba and Gugulethu Mngometulu during a road rage incident at KaDake area in the Hhohho region on April 27, 2012. He pleaded not guilty to the offence of attempted murder.
In the second count, Rudd was charged with contravening Section 11(1) read with Section 11(8) of the Arms and Ammunition Act/1964 (as amended). The Crown alleged that on April 27, 2012, at KaDake, Rudd, not being a holder of a valid licence or permit, unlawfully possessed a star pistol serial No.148946.