Times Of Swaziland: MBEDZI SICK, ADMITTED, COULD GO TO SA

MBEDZI SICK, ADMITTED, COULD GO TO SA
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Sibusiso Zwane and Thokozani Mazibuko on 10/03/2022 09:01:00


MANZINI - South African national Amos Mbedzi, who is a political prisoner in
Eswatini, is sick and admitted to hospital.
On top of that, there are reports that he could travel to South Africa for
unknown reasons, but His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) Deputy Public
Relations Officer (PRO) Senior Superintendent Mandla Sibiya asked not to comment
on the matter. However, Sibiya confirmed that the inmate was sick and that he
was receiving medical attention at a hospital, which he said he would not
mention for security reasons. He mentioned that Mbedzi had been sick for a long
time.
In fact, he said this was what he could say regarding issues around Mbedzi.
Sibiya said he could not release any other information for security reasons. The
belief that Mbedzi could travel to his home country was also compounded by a
copy of a memorandum allegedly written by assistant commissioner of His
Majesty’s Correctional Services directed to chief laboratory technologist
yesterday. It was a request for the chief laboratory technologist to conduct a
COVID-19 test as Mbedzi ‘is supposed to leave the country of Eswatini soon as
the test is a preriquisite.’
Meanwhile, the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) Secretary General,
Wandile Dludlu, released a statement yesterday afternoon and said earlier on the
day they received reports about alleged critical and worsening health situation
of Mbedzi. He alleged that according to the reports they received, Mbedzi was
allegedly admitted to the Mbabane Government Hospital.
Unwell
Dludlu said Mbedzi had been unwell for quite a while now.  “As we amplify the
call for his release, we wish to call upon all our members, fellow emaSwati, as
well as political parties and progressive formations, to join us in a picket
tomorrow (today) outside the Mbabane Government Hospital and later to deliver a
petition to HMCS Headquarters, Mbabane,” Dludlu said.
He said the picket would start at 9am by the main entrance to the government
hospital.  Mbedzi is the South African national who was convicted of five
charges including sedition and murder. He was sentenced to 85 years and six
months in prison by the High Court of Eswatini.