Law

NGWEMPISI – Former Ngwempisi Member of Parliament (MP) Mthandeni Dube’s family, neighbours, and friends waited all day long for his release yesterday, but in vain.

This publication visited e-Fakudze under Ngwempisi Inkhundla and found a handful of men, including the former MP’s neighbours and close friends, in the business area, which is about 800 metres away.

When this publication approached them, they revealed that they were there awaiting the arrival of their former MP, as they had been told he was supposed to be released yesterday through a Royal Pardon.

They also said that after they made plans to host a prayer for him upon his arrival, the police warned them to call it off for security reasons.

Consequently, they even posted on their social media pages that the prayer had been cancelled for now due to security reasons.

Therefore, they said they were there to turn back people who might have wished to join the prayer session for their former MP.

They said, luckily for them, it seemed the message about the cancellation of the prayer successfully reached the people, as no one showed up.

According to Dube’s neighbours and friends, they arrived at the business centre at around 8am.

After seeing that nothing was happening regarding his release, at around 11:50am, they decided to have a short prayer at the former MP’s parental home. This, they said, was because Pastor Njabulo Tfwala, whom they had asked to lead them in prayer when the former MP arrived, had already made it there.

The prayer eventually started at around 12:30pm and lasted for about an hour. During the prayer, which was held in the main house of the Dube family, Pastor Senzo Msibi, a close neighbour, said they were hoping that by praying at that time, they would be praying together with Dube. It is worth noting that Dube’s mother, Kesta (77), was among the family members who joined the prayer.

Pastor Msibi  said they should continue with the prayer to thank the Lord for the good news they received that Dube would be released from jail. He said they would sing praises to the Lord with the hope that before the end of the day, Dube would be with them.

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We never pronounced date for Dube’s release - HMCS

MANZINI – His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) says it never made a pronouncement regarding the release date of the former Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube.

HMCS Deputy Public Relations Officer Assistant Chief Officer Baphelele Kunene stated that his office has no record of any information linking October 3, 2025 as the release date for Dube.

“As of now, the only official records available to this office reflect 464 inmates who have already been released and 2 346 inmates whose sentences have been reduced.

Beyond these, no other specific dates or details regarding the release of any inmate have been communicated by the department,” Kunene said.

After that, he stated that the department cannot comment on unverified reports or hearsay, stressing that all official communication concerning inmate releases will continue to be issued formally by the department, should there be any.

Dube family members, friends and neighbours in song during a prayer at his parental home yesterday.They waited all day long for him to come home, as they were anticipating that he would be released yesterday. (Pics: Sibusiso Zwane)

Former Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube’s mother Kesta (77) (L) with other family members, friends and neighbours during the prayer service yesterday.