MBABANE:King Mswati is allegedly under international pressure to release convicted pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube and further allow exiled MP Mduduzi Magawugawu Simelane to return home unconditionally, an independent investigation reveals.
It has been disclosed that, representatives from the Inter-Parliamentary Union(IPU) recently arrived in the country to visit MPs Mthandeni Dube and Bacede Mabuza and this, was confirmed by MP Bacede Mabuza in a special message delivered to this journalist by a close relative who had gone to visit him in prison.
MP Bacede Mabuza, through his relative, told this journalist that, they were visited by representatives of the IPU in prison who assured them that, “they are working on their matter and will possibly meet King’s representatives”, Mabuza then thanked this publication for vigorously reporting about their plight.
An independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News further uncovered that amid the international pressure, the Tinkhundla regime allegedly approached MP Mthandeni Dube and used his desperation to be released from prison, Dube was advised to apologise so that, in the eyes of the public, the MPs could be seen released as per King Mswati’s mercy and forgiving heart.
“The political game that was played during Correctional Services Day was very deep and the King doesn’t want to be seen bowing to international pressure to release the MPs because that will weaken him, he will lose control of the Parliament yet by arresting these MPs, he was sending a message to other MPs not to oppose him in Parliament. Loku sekacolisa Mthandeni sekutawutsiwa-ke iNkhosi yabobonkhe bantfu, iyacolelana, bakhishwe-ke. Nangesikatsi kuboshwe editor Bheki Makhubu and lawyer Thulani Maseko, there was international pressure even from the European Union. But what happened there, Judges were instructed to handle the matter and prosecution team did not oppose the appeal. Baphuma-ke kungatsi bakhishwe tinkantolo kani there was an instruction kutsi abakhishwe sebasibangela emehlo emhlabeni,” said a high profile insider.
But King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said, “convicted Member of Parliament(MP) Mthandeni Dube is exercising his constitutional right by approaching King Mswati for clemency”.
Prince Simelane,the Minister Justice and Constitutional Affairs is trending on social media for kneeling down before King Mswati, asking for forgiveness on behalf of convicted Member of Parliament(MP) Mthandeni Dube.
The Justice delivered the message on Friday during the Correctional Services Day event in Matsapha Prison, he was subsequently praised by members of the public for asking for forgiveness on behalf of the convicted MP.
“I’ve been asked by Mthandeni Dube, umfana wakho Ngwenyama to wish you a long life.He further asked me to be his lincusa when approaching the King to apologize”, said the Justice Minister.
The King welcomed the message from Dube and emphasized the importance of forgiveness.
MP Mthandeni Dube was arrested and charged on politically motivated terrorism charges merely for demanding democracy, he was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Responding to this Swaziland News on Sunday when asked to clarify if the MP will be released after demonstrating an intention to apologise to the King, the Spokesperson said, when handling such issues, the King normally acts on recommendations from the Commissioner General.
“We want to believe Mr Mthandeni Dube is exercising his constitutional right to clemency. On the King’s comment we would like to accept that parole is constitutional and every inmate deserves it if he/she qualifies for it. The Commissioner General of Correctional Services is the custodian of the qualification standards”, said the King’s Spokesperson.
Prince Simelane,the Minister Justice and Constitutional Affairs “is trending on social media for kneeling down before King Mswati, asking for forgiveness on behalf of convicted Member of Parliament(MP) Mthandeni Dube”.
The Justice delivered the message on Friday during the Correctional Services Day event in Matsapha Prison, he was subsequently praised by members of the public for asking for forgiveness on behalf of the convicted MP.
“I’ve been asked by Mthandeni Dube, umfana wakho Ngwenyama to wish you a long life.He further asked me to be his lincusa when approaching the King to apologize”, said the Justice Minister.
The King welcomed the message from Dube and emphasized the importance of forgiveness.
MP Mthandeni Dube was arrested and charged on politically motivated terrorism charges merely for demanding democracy, he was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
An insider within the Inter-Parliamentary Union(IPU) said the matter of the three(3) MPs has been discussed several times at international level and that, the IPU wants both MPs to be released and the return of exiled Siphofaneni MP Mduduzi Magawugawu Simelane.
The MPs were persecuted merely for demanding democratic reforms and/or an elected Prime Minister, they arrested and subsequently convicted on politically motivated terrorism charges.
MP Bacede Mabuza.