By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MATSAPHA: Assistant Commissioner Correctional(ACC)Gabsile Manyatsi, the Matsapha Prison Officer-in Charge failed to respond to questions from this publication when asked to clarify why the Correctional Services commenced renovations of cells for three(3) on-trial suspects in Sipho Shongwe and Members of Parliament(MPs) Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube.

The Officer-in Charge who was among those commanding the assault of the incarcerated pro-democracy MPs inside prison allegedly received an order from authorities to renovate cells for the MPs at Block A where serial killer David Simelane is kept.

MPs Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube are political prisoners facing politically motivated terrorism charges, while Shongwe is a murder suspect who has been languishing in prison to almost five years.

Currently, MP Bacede is kept at C2, Mthandeni(C3)and Sipho Shongwe at C1, the high profile suspects are kept with  one suspect within their cells.

Now, the Correctional Services want to isolate the MPs at Block A where dangerous suspects are kept, cells at Block A include a small room with no movements,visitors are allegedly restricted.

When this journalist contacted Assistant Commissioner Correctional(ACC),she dropped the call.

“Hello”, said the Assistant Commissioner before dropping the call.

But insiders within the Correctional Services told this Swaziland News that they were surprised after being told about the commencement of the renovations despite the fact that all three(3) high profile suspects were on trial.

“Block A where they want to isolate the MPs is a maximum prison where risky and life threatening inmates serving over ten(10) years sentences are kept.Even if you are not serving over ten(10) years, if the prison authorities perceive you as a risk, you are kept there,” said the insider.

Reached for comments, Sicelo Mngomezulu, the lawyer representing the pro-democracy MPs said he would like to believe that the ongoing renovations at the Correctional Services had nothing to do with his clients who are still subject to the presumption of innocence.

“Can I not say much on this one.I'd like to believe that any  ongoing renovations at the Correctional Services have nothing to do with my Clients, who are still subject to the ‘presumption of innocence’ hence I’d rather not speculate. Sisabhekene ne trial, my Clients and our legal team are doing very well under very trying circumstances,”said the lawyer.

MPs Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube were arrested merely for demanding democratic reforms, after an order allegedly issued by Mswati they are facing politically motivated terrorism charges.