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I HAVE NOT DUMPED MY CLIENT - SIBUSISO SHONGWE’S LAWYER

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image Former Minister Sibusiso Shongwe and his lawyer Mzwandile Sobandla Dlamini during one of his court appearances after his arrest. (File Pic)

MBABANE -“I have not dumped my client.” These were the words of lawyer Mzwandile Sobandla Dlamini after he was asked why he failed to show up in court on Tuesday to represent former Minister Sibusiso Shongwe.
Shongwe instructed Dlamini of MS Dlamini Legal to represent him in his corruption trial, which was scheduled to begin on Tuesday. However, Dlamini was nowhere in court when the matter was called.


In a brief interview yesterday, Dlamini said he had spoken to the former minister and explained his reasons for not showing up and he understood. 
He further mentioned that he would be appearing on behalf of Shongwe in his next appearance.
“I am not running away from Shongwe and I am still representing him in the matter. Although I cannot disclose the reasons in public, why I did not show up, but I can safely say they were personal and not in any way related to the matter,” he stated.


Dlamini said he was prepared for the matter and would avail the reasons for not showing up to the judge.
“To indicate that Shongwe is still my client, I have not filed any notice withdrawing as his attorney of record,” concluded Dlamini.
On Tuesday, Vusi Thomo of Sibusiso B Shongwe and Associates, who appeared on behalf of the former minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, informed the court that Shongwe was facing a very unfortunate situation.
He explained that since Friday last week, lawyer Dlamini could not be located or reached on his cellphone until the matter went to court.


Thomo told the court that they had not been able to locate Dlamini since last week despite that he was the instructed attorney.
Thomo said it was Dlamini who was instructed to move the application challenging the arrest warrant.


Judge Mbutfo Mamba gave Senator Shongwe time to instruct an attorney and the matter will proceed on Monday. The judge said the trial would proceed with or without Shongwe’s chosen attorney.
The unavailability of Dlamini on Tuesday resulted in the court postponing the matter.
“My only consideration is the absence of Dlamini. At this stage it would not be proper to order that the trial should continue in his absence. His absence has not been explained.  I shall give him a chance to instruct counsel. But we cannot wait forever,” said Judge Mamba.

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