JAILED MYEZA WANTS TO BE FREED FOR ELECTIONS

MBABANE - Former Khubuta Member of Parliament Charles Myeza wants the Commissioner of Correctional Services to avail escorts and guards for him to go and partake in the Secondary Elections tomorrow.

He now wants the court to order that he be released to attend the elections but under the supervision and guard of officers from the Correctional Services where he is currently kept.
Myeza was convicted on August 23, 2013 after he was found guilty of fraud by High Court Judge Nkululeko Hlophe and he is currently serving a five-year sentence.

He then moved an application to be admitted to bail pending appeal but it was also dismissed on the grounds that there were no prospects of success in the appeal.
The former legislator yesterday filed an urgent application at the High Court where he is seeking an order directing the Commissioner of His Majesty’s Correctional Services to avail escorts to guard him at all scenes of the Secondary Elections.
The application was filed by his lawyer Thabiso Mavuso yesterday afternoon. In his founding affidavit, Myeza stated that on August 23, 2013 he was convicted of fraud and thereafter sentenced to five years without an option of a fine.

“At the time of my conviction but pending sentencing I had already been nominated under my Umphakatsi to stand for elections for the position of Member of Parliament. On August 24, 2013 I participated in the Primary Elections at my chiefdom, KaPhunga Royal Kraal. I was declared the winner of the Primary Elections in the said category; and thus the lawful candidate to represent the umphakatsi in the Secondary Elections,” he stated.

He further submitted that subsequent to his election, he was sentenced to five years imprisonment without an option of a fine.  Myeza informed the court that he has since lodged an appeal against both his conviction and sentence.
He stated that after having lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court, he instructed his attorney in the criminal proceedings to move a bail application on his behalf pending determination of the appeal.

He said this followed legal advice he obtained from his attorneys to the effect that his appeal might not be heard any time sooner than November 2013 when the second session of the Supreme Court shall convene.
He submitted that in so doing he was desirous of pursuing his political campaign in readiness for the Secondary Elections scheduled for tomorrow. He said his application to be admitted to bail was unfortunately refused.

“However, I did not lose hope and would not let my political career to go down the drain merely on the basis of inchoate conviction which stands to be overturned on appeal. Cognisant of the fact that the electorate has faith in me to champion their interest in Parliament, as evidenced by the landslide victory I received during the Primary Elections despite being convicted on the eve of the Primary Elections, I continued to do my campaign for the elections, albeit through agents since I have been deprived of my personal liberty,” he said
Myeza submitted that his campaign had not been a smooth one as the electorate indicated that they were confused whether to vote for him or not in the light of the current proceedings.

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