Times Of Swaziland: NTUTHUKO’S TRIAL SET FOR JUNE

NTUTHUKO’S TRIAL SET FOR JUNE
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Mbongiseni Ndzimandze on 03/02/2022 08:23:00


MBABANE - Former Minister of Public Works and Transport Ntuthuko Dlamini has
five months to prepare for his trial.
This is so because his trial, which will be before Judge Mbutfo Mamba, has been
allocated four days in June. The first day of the trial is June 21 and the other
dates are 22, 28 and 29 of the same month. Ntuthuko’s matter was initially
allocated to Acting High Court Judge David Khumalo, who is Manzini Principal
Magistrate. It was later removed from Khumalo and allocated to Principal Judge
Qinisile Mabuza who, however, recused herself, citing the fact that she heard
Ntuthuko’s bail application wherein she made some comments on the merits of
the matter. The former LaMgabhi Member of Parliament (MP), who is also a
businessman, is currently out on bail.
He allegedly shot and killed Andreas Tsabedze and former police officer Sikhulu
Shongwe in cold blood at Mhlabubovu. He also stands accused of attempting to end
the life of Simon Dlamini by shooting him three times with a pistol. This charge
will be amended by the Crown as Simon is reported to have later died. The
incident occurred at Mhlabubovu Traffic Circle, which leads to Bhunya and
Mankayane, near the former minister of Public Works and Transport’s shopping
complex. Mhlabubovu is the land under dispute between LaMgabhi and Luyengweni
chiefdoms, whose traditional leaders are the late Chief Ndzimanye Dlamini and
Chief Lembelele Dlamini respectively.
Shot
Both of the men who were shot dead, allegedly by the former minister, were 
reportedly from Luyengweni and were part of a group that was travelling with the
chiefdom’s inner council (bandlancane) who was reportedly going about
allocating land at Mhlabubovu to certain individuals. During his pre-trial, the
accused expressed his concerns that he would have no one to testify on his
behalf when he presented his defence during his trial, as the Crown had made all
the people who were with him on the day of the incident its witnesses.  He
averred that this rendered him handicapped. The former LaMgabhi Member of
Parliament further indicated that during his trial, he would plead not guilty to
all the charges. He previously indicated that he would be engaging the services
of an advocate during his trial.
Meanwhile, during the trial, the Crown will parade 16 witnesses to prove its
case beyond reasonable doubt against Ntuthuko. During the argument of the bail
application, it was canvassed by the Crown that Ntuthuko had no defence to the
charges he was facing because there was sufficient evidence to prove
premeditated murder and that he exceeded the bounds of self- defence. The former
legislator denied that he had no defence and stated that he was at all material
times acting in self-defence.  It was argued on his behalf that whether or not
he exceeded the bounds of self-defence was a question to be determined by the
trial court. The former MP is represented by Noncedo Ndlangamandla while
appearing for the Crown is Principal Crown Counsel Ncamisile Masuku from the
chamber of the director of public prosecutions (DPP).