POLICE STILL LOOKING FOR MP ‘GAWUZELA’

MANZINI – The police are still looking for Siphofaneni Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane.

This was disclosed by Deputy Police Information and Communication Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni. She said Simelane, by yesterday evening, had not been apprehended. “We are still looking for him as there is a warrant of apprehension that was issued for his arrest,” Mnguni said. Simelane is one of three legislators who have been calling for political reforms in the country. Two of his counterparts – Hosea Constituency MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Ngwempisi Constituency MP Mthandeni Dube – were apprehended on Sunday.

.They were arrested for allegedly contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act while Mabuza was also separately charged for allegedly contravening Regulation 4 of the Disaster Management (COVID -19) Regulations 2020 under the Disaster Management Act 2006. Since the pair’s incarceration, Simelane has been said to be on the police wanted list. On Monday, the Crown said an arrest warrant for Simelane was issued on the same date as the ones for the pair – July 8, 2021. Meanwhile, in an interview published by this newspaper on Monday, MP Simelane denied that he was in hiding. Simelane said; “I am a resident of Siphofaneni. As I speak, I am here but doing all I can to be safe as we do not trust these people we are dealing with.” He said he had not received any communication from the State, adding that he did not want to act based on rumours. When questioned on whether he had offered support to his incarcerated colleagues, Simelane said they were in constant communication each time they got an opportunity to do so. He stated that physically, he was not there to offer support in court, but they agreed to keep each other updated.

“It is a challenging moment but we saw it coming and I am happy that we are so solid and together all the way,” said the legislator. Simelane said they were now at a point of no return in the pursuit for freedom of the people. He said fear was no longer an option, adding that the question would only be as to how they navigated in the face of the tribulations. Further, he assured that before they embarked on the journey to call for political reforms, they knew that they would have to cross such rivers. “If the likes of Chris Hani of South Africa had to cross the crocodile infested Zambezi River risking their lives to quench their thirst for democracy, then who are we to fear such?” he questioned.

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