TRIAL BEGINS TODAY

MBABANE – It is expected to be a long day in court today for Members of Parliament, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube.

This is because today marks the beginning of their trial. Their pre-trial conference, which was supposed to be conducted on Friday, was postponed after the MPs, who are accused of inciting members of the public to riot against government, objected to the proceedings taking place virtually. It remains to be seen today whether their objection will be upheld. The MPs are opposed to either the pre-trial conference or the trial itself being conducted virtually. They insist on being physically present in court during any proceedings that touch on their case. When Judge Mumcy Dlamini delivered  the judgment on their initial bail application on August 9, 2021, and when they appeared for what was their last remand hearing on the same day, the proceedings were held virtually.

Virtual

According to their then lawyer, Sifiso ‘Charlie’ Jele, Mabuza and Dube had indicated that they were opposed to the virtual appearance and wanted to be in court physically. The pre-trial conference has since been rescheduled and will now be conducted today, which is coincidentally the first day of the trial of the two legislators. According to their notice of trial, the matter will be heard over 15 consecutive days, beginning from today. Mabuza and Dube were served with the notice of commencement of their trial on August 12, 2021. It has been reliably gathered that the accused persons were previously not physically brought to court due to security reasons. This publication has also established that the legal representatives of both parties are not certain if the accused persons will be brought to court today.

Supporter

When the MP’s last appeared in court in person, on August 9, 2021, some of their supporters were turned back at the High Court and they demonstrated at the Mbabane Bus Rank. Others were turned back by police at some of the roadblocks that had been mounted along different routes leading to the city centre. Police advised the MPs’ supporters that the courtroom in which the case was to be heard, was already full and in compliance with COVID-19 regulations, they were advised to go back. Those who demonstrated near the bus rank were dispersed with the use of tear gas by the police. According to the police, the demonstrators did not have a permit to march on the streets of the capital city.

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