MBABANE:Phindile Dlamini, the Commissioner General of His Majesty’s Correctional Services has come out to clarify that,the correctional institution won’t release convicted serial killer David Simelane.
This comes after this Swaziland News exposed an alleged secret plot to release the serial killer who killed twenty-eight (28) women including children.
The Commissioner General had earlier declined to comment regarding the subject matter after this publication gathered information suggesting that,the correctional institution was plotting to release David Thabo Simelane by recommending a parole to the King.
When asked by this Swaziland News earlier to clarify if the King has been approached by the Correctional Services to consider releasing David Simelane and if the serial killer “qualifies for parole”, King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said, he was only aware of one parole.
He said David Simelane was sentenced to death but now serving life imprisonment after the first parole adding that, he was not aware if the Commissioner General was considering another one.
“He got one already.He was sentenced to death but now he is serving a life sentence.I wouldn’t be sure if the Commissioner General is considering recommending another parole”, said the King’s Spokesperson.
But in a press statement released on Tuesday subsequent to the article published by this Swaziland News, Assistant Commissioner Gugulethu Dlamini, the Spokesperson of His Majesty’s Correctional Services denied that, the institution was considering releasing the serial killer.
But Dlamini did not clarify why and how David Simelane qualified for a parole that saw him being pardoned from death to life imprisonment.
Information gathered by this publication suggests that, after servicing thirty-six(36) correctional calendar years, the Commissioner General was plotting to recommend the serial killer for another parole to complement his release.
But amid public outcry and condemnation from women rights organizations, the Correctional Services announced that, the institution won’t release serial killer David Simelane.
“Since his arrest in 2001 and subsequent conviction in 2011, Simelane has diligently served his sentences. His sentence and conviction status remained so even after his appeal was concluded by the Supreme Court in 2011”, said the Correctional Spokesperson who was speaking on behalf of Commissioner General Phindile Dlamini.
Commissioner General Phindile Dlamini(pic: HMCS).