Rudd’s marriage plans frustrated

Roland Rudd.

MBABANE – Frustration and anger follows the pomp and ceremony that characterised the engagement, in jail, of former activist Roland Rudd to Dumsile Lushaba.

On March 24 this year, Rudd had hoped that he would eventually get married by December this year. However, events that have followed the wishes and plans have dogged his dream as his case remains cold in the files of the High Court.

Rudd is alleged to have shot at soldiers who were guarding an overhead bridge in Ngwenya in May 2012. After the incident, he allegedly sped off in his car but registration numbers for his car were identified. There were no injuries.
His bail was granted but later withdrawn after the state argued, at appeal, that he was a flight risk.
Lushaba, his 21-year-old fiancée of Siphocosini poured her heart out, saying Rudd should have long been released had it not been for the alleged justice system’s snail’s pace.

She said her fiancé’s continued stay in jail was delaying her bid for marriage and causing unnecessary frustration to Rudd. Usually, under normal circumstances, an engagement is preceded by a marriage within a space of six months.

“Rudd wants the case to either go ahead or his bail be reinstated. In July, we were expecting the case to go ahead, but it did not as Justice Bheki Maphalala, who is presiding over it was said to be on leave,” she said.

Responding to questions on the fate of the engagement should scales tip against Rudd when the case is finally heard in court, Lushaba said no verdict can change her love for Rudd.
“I love him very much and am willing to wait for him until he is released from jail,” she said.
She reiterated Rudd’s assertion that he had repented at the Sidwashini Correctional Facility and was now a Christian.

“I have always known him to be a Christian and he still is.”
Though shy to let her emotions show, she insists, “I would have loved to be married by now.”
Lushaba said she visits Rudd twice a week at the Sidwashini correctional facility, where he usually talks about how the case is dragging on.

She said Rudd had never spoken about any ill-treatment at the Correctional Facility, and that he looked well.
“But his being there is really not good for us or to his family. He is also not happy and wants out.”
On the day of his engagement, Rudd said he had repented a few years ago but had relapsed in faith over time. He had said he had recommitted himself to God while at the correctional facility.
The lovebirds have known each other since December 2010.

Lushaba said she was also a Christian who fellowshipped at the House of Prayer Ministries.
She gave credit to her family whom she said supported her through the period of uncertainty over her fiancé’s case.

During the engagement, which the media was allowed to cover, Rudd said he realised that prisoners were people who were out of prison and free people were those in prison.
“In my cell, I have enough time to read the Bible. I pray three times a day and we have church services three times per week,” he was quoted by the Times Sunday.

He has dropped politics for the Bible - fiancée

MBABANE – Dumsile Lushaba says her fiancé Roland Rudd has dropped politics for the Bible.
“He does not talk about politics anymore but about his faith in God. Many people still think he is a staunch political activist, as he used to be but that is no longer the case.

Rudd used to feature in political rallies and had strong political opinions which he freely wrote on social networking site, Facebook.
He was once arrested for allegedly carrying explosives but he successfully challenged the charges and sued for wrongful arrest.
He also used to be a member of the banned People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO).

Registrar: He will have his day in court

MBABANE – High Court Registrar Mpendulo Simelane said attempted murder suspect Roland Rudd should not panic as he will eventually have his day in court.

Before his incarceration, Rudd was also known as a political activist.
“The reason for the seeming delays was that Justice Maphalala had to go on leave. He was busy with appeals that stopped him from taking leave.

It was time that he went on leave.”
The case is still on. It’s just that it was not on this roll.
When the judge returns from leave, he will definitely try the case, like all the others. Rudd will get his chance, he must wait,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rudd’s fiancée Dumsile Lushaba said the accused was impatient with the pace at which the wheels of justice were turning.

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