By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MATSAPHA:Phindile Lomakhosini Dlamini, the Commissioner General of His Majesty’s Correctional Services allegedly planted a spying camera inside incarcerated pro-democracy Member of Parliament(MP)Bacede Mabuza’s consultation room.

The designated consultation room is where the incarcerated MP and other inmates consult with their legal teams to prepare for their defence in their criminal cases.

It has been disclosed that the consultation room has been fitted with the CCTV camera, with remote viewing capacity and presumably, hidden microphones to listen to imnates and their lawyers.

Reached for comments, Sicelo Mngomezulu, the South African Correspondent Attorney representing the pro-democracy MPs confirmed that cameras where installed to spy on MP Bacede and his legal team.

“We\'ve noted, with deep concern, the changes made to the consulting room.It seems to us, our Clients’ rights are being interfered with.It is also not unreasonable of us or our clients to suspect or even believe that there\'s eavesdropping going on. We expect the Law Society to share our concerns. We\'re taking instructions on our next course of action”, said the South Africa Correspondent Attorney representing the incarcerated pro-democracy MPs.

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 PRO had earlier said she would wait for an instruction from Government before commenting on this publication.

“I will have to get permission from Government before commenting”, said the Correctional Services Spokesperson.

The same questionnaire was shared with the Commissioner General Phindile Dlamini, however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this this report.

It has been disclosed that when the MPs consult with their lawyers the table position was shifted from its normal position to enable a better viewing angle for the camera that was positioned right above the consulting table.

This disclosure comes few hours after this publication exposed how Michael Tsabedze who was part of MP Bacede’s legal team was allegedly planted to spy on the MP. Tsabedze allegedly recorded the MP during a consultation without his permission and subsequently shared the information with the State including captured journalists.