Times Of Swaziland: PM’S WIFE LOMVULA APPOINTED ACTING DPP

PM’S WIFE LOMVULA APPOINTED ACTING DPP
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Mbongiseni Ndzimandze and Kwanele Dlamini on 14/10/2022 07:05:00


MBABANE - Lomvula Hlophe, the wife to Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini, has been
appointed the Acting DPP.
Lomvula’s appointment by His Majesty King Mswati III was announced by the
Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki
Maphalala, yesterday. The CJ said Lomvula would hold the reins in the Office of
the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) while the indisposed Phila Dlamini
received medical attention.
Maphalala expressed hope that with Lomvula as acting DPP, her office would work
hand-in-hand with the Judiciary and, among other things, help deal with the
shortage of prosecutors.
Lomvula was previously a Principal Crown Counsel in the Office of the DPP before
being elevated to the position of Under Secretary in the Ministry of Natural
Resources. As Crown Counsel, Lomvula was the head of the Sexual Offences and
Domestic Violence Unit.  She was also responsible for cases which touched on
human trafficking and people’s smuggling.
She is the daughter of King Sobhuza II’s daughter, Princess Dutoit. This means
she is a niece to King Mswati III.
Her father is the late former Statesman, Abednego Kuseni Hlophe, popularly known
as AK. Lomvula is known for her no-nonsense approach when it comes to issues of
gender-based violence and children. When the Sexual Offences and Domestic
Violence (SODV) Act 15/2018 was being piloted, she was the one sensitising the
public and legislators about it. One of the cases she is currently handling is
that of Pastor Themba Masimula.
Masimula, who is also a teacher, is accused of killing his wife, Funekile, who
was burnt to death inside a motor vehicle.
Disappeared
Lomvula is also leading the prosecution in the murder trial of Patrick Bhubesi
Shongwe, who is a police officer. Shongwe, however, disappeared when the trial
was supposed to start on November 1, 2021. A warrant of arrest against him was
issued but he is still at large. The acting DPP is also prosecuting in the case
of Mpendulo Mcolisi Msibi, who is facing 21 charges of rape and murder. Other
pending cases which are being prosecuted by her include that of Talos, the
Mozambican national who is accused of raping many women at Checkers, Mbabane.
She is also prosecuting in the matter of the soldier who allegedly hired people
to kill his wardress wife. Lomvula also prosecuted in the matter where a
13-year-old girl was allegedly sexually abused by her Mozambican father on
numerous occasions and she fell pregnant.