REPS ROPED IN, LAUNCHES CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO MATTER

MBABANE - There are now two parallel investigations that are ongoing into the smuggling of phones which were found in incarcerated MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza’s possession at the Matsapha Maximum Prison.

While there are internal investigations that are taking place within the facility, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has also launched criminal investigations into the same matter. The internal investigations within the facility were sanctioned by the Commissioner General of His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), Phindile Dlamini, and they are reportedly still ongoing. So far, the police have managed to obtain a court order compelling Mabuza and his company to furnish them with documents or details of accounts of eight Correctional officers which they intend to use during their investigations. In a statement issued by his legal team on Monday, Mabuza confirmed knowledge of the contraband (cellphones). Mabuza stated that he had been trying by all means not to discuss the enquiry about the cellphones which were found in his possession by the prison authorities. He said this was mainly because he was told that it was an internal enquiry which would not involve the courts, his legal team or the public.

He said it was unfortunate when he read about same in the local newspapers in a different version and he felt the need to state his side of the story. In the statement, Mabuza stated that the cellphones belonged to him and he used them for three purposes, mainly to communicate with his suppliers, his employees and family members.  He disclosed that the numbers contained therein were of the aforementioned people. He went on to assure his family, his constituency, his colleagues and all emaSwati that the allegations that high ranking officers from HMCS facilitated  his getting of the cellphones were not  only false but political motivated.

Allowed

In his statement, the MP further stated that he was not allowed to make calls using the prison telephone anymore. It was previously reported by this publication that Mabuza had been placed in solitary confinement at the Matsapha Maximum Prison.
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, is suspected of organising or being engaged in illegal activities outside of prison. The MP has not only been placed in solitary confinement, but is also allowed one visitor who brings him food at the Correctional facility. His legal team is also permitted to see him for consultation purposes. Dube and Mabuza were arrested on July 25, 2021 and their trial was postponed to January 26, 2022. The matter will also be heard on the January 27, 2022. Other dates are February 15, 16 and 17, 2022. It will continue five days later on February 22, 23 and 24, 2022 as well as March 1, 2 and 3, 2022. The MPs allegedly committed a terrorist act by encouraging people in public statements to disobey the lawful banning by the Government of Eswatini of the delivery of petitions and to reject the appointment of the then Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku.

It is alleged that by so doing, they encouraged civil disobedience, which had one or more of the following intentions or consequences; death or bodily injury, serious damage to property, serious risk to the health of the public or a section of a public and endangering the lives of the people and was designed or intended to disrupt the provision of essential emergency services such as police, civil defence and medical services. Their urgent bail appeal is likely to be heard in February.

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