MBABANE: King Mswati’s Government through the Correctional Services is plotting to sneak Amos Mbedzi out of eSwatini at night amid fears that the freedom fighter might die in prison and trigger tensions between the Kingdom of eSwatini and the Republic of South Africa.
Amos Mbedzi, a South African citizen is one of the high profile political prisoners in eSwatini, he was arrested in 2008, after, together with lawyer Musa MJ Dlamini and Jack Govender, attempted to bomb the Lozitha Bridge.
It has been disclosed that the freedom fighters had information that King Mswati would pass through that bridge from Lozitha to Ludzidzini.
However, the bomb allegedly exploded pre-maturely and killed Dlamini and Govender while Mbedzi survived with serious injuries and was subsequently arrested by the police.
Various political organizations including the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) and the South African Communist Party(SACP) have been calling for the release of Mbedzi who was sentenced to eighty-five(85) years by Mswati’s Judge Bheki Maphalala who was later promoted to the position of Chief Justice after sentencing him.
“Having found you guilty, I therefore sentence you to 85 years in prison”, said Judge Maphalala.
Now, an independent investigation by this Swaziland News uncovered documentary evidence suggesting that on Wednesday 09 March 2022, Takhona Dlamini, the Assistant Commissioner of His Majesty’s Correctional Services signed(on behalf of the Commissioner General) a memorandum directed to Chief Laboratory Technologist requesting that a COVID-19 test be conducted on Amos Mbedzi before leaving the country.
“Your esteemed office is hereby kindly requested to facilitate COVID-19 Testing on Amos Mbhendzi. He is scheduled to leave the country to the Republic of South Africa and, the COVID-19 test is a prerequisite when crossing the border, hence the request. I look forward to your timely assistance in this matter”, reads the memo in part.
Emails in our possession suggest that Mbedzi’s critical condition was reported to the South African High Commission on or around 08 March 2022, the high profile freedom fighter was allegedly rushed to the Mbabane Government Hospital.
“Kindly note that the High Commission received the under-mentioned email that Mr Amos Mbedzi is admitted at the Mbabane Government hospital”, reads an email sent by Maria Bokaba-Jali, the Corporate Services Manager at the South African High Commission.
Questions were sent to Superintendent Gugulethu Dlamini, the Correctional Services Spokesperson, however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
The Correctional Services Spokesperson earlier said she would have to seek permission from Government before responding to questions from this publication.
“I will have to get permission from Government before commenting”, said the Correctional Services Spokesperson.
Reached for comments, PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya said they would welcome the release of Amos Mbedzi adding that as PUDEMO, they have been calling for his release for years.
“We would welcome the release of comrade Amos Mbedzi because that's what we have been calling for all these years. However, his release does not mean we will not hold Mswati accountable if anything could happen to Mbedzi. Even if comrade Mbedzi could die out of prison, we will hold Mswati liable for killing him”, said the PUDEMO President.
It has been disclosed that Amos Mbedzi has been sick for many years and Mswati’s Government has been denying him access to health care until his condition deteriorated, he will now be released amid fears that he might die in prison.
A memo allegedly facilitating the release of Amos Mbedzi.