MBABANE: Three Regional Heads of Crime Intelligence testified against incarcerated pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube.
The trial of the pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs)Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube resumed again on Tuesday at the High Court after it was adjourned due to the withdrawal of state witnesses who were set to testify against the MPs.
The prosecution brought forward seven new witnesses which include three (3) police Detectives who are responsible for crime intelligence in the Manzini,Shiselweni and Lubombo regions
Superintendent Thabo Hlophe from the Manzini Region testified that the damage to property and businesses in his region amounted to E171.8 million during the unrest in June 2021. He further testified that he knows of about 15 people who were killed in Manzini but failed to directly incriminate the MPs in his testimonial.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News, Sicelo Mngomezulu, the pro-democracy MPs lawyer said the police officer seemed very jittery and scared as he testified against the Parliamentarians.
“The case will proceed on Wednesday and Thursday, three (3) Regional Heads of police crime intelligence testified today ,which are from Manzini, Shiselweni and Lubombo and the MPs are doing fine and we believe they have never committed any crime except calling for democratic reforms",said the lawyer.
MPs Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube were arrested allegedly on King Mswati's order and charged with terrorism after calling for democratic reforms in Parliament.
Incarcerated pro-democracy MP Bacede Mabuza with his lawyer Ben J. Simelane.