Times Of Swaziland: MTHANDENI DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM BACEDE’S STATEMENTS

MTHANDENI DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM BACEDE’S STATEMENTS
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Sibusiso Shange and Mbongiseni Ndzimandze on 23/02/2024 09:08:00


MBABANE - Former Ngwempisi Member of Parliament (MP) Mthandeni Dube says former
Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza’s testimony had nothing to do with him.
He disassociated himself from Mabuza’s statements yesterday when he took to
the dock to make his submissions. Unlike Mabuza, who decided to make an unsworn
statement, Dube first took an oath where he promised to speak the truth and
nothing but the truth. It took Dube about 44 minutes to make his submissions.
He told the court that he had no comments on what was said by Mabuza. Dube said
this after the prosecution had asked if he recalled the testimony made by Mabuza
on Wednesday. He was also asked how far he agreed with Mabuza’s testimony.
Testimony
“Did you hear Mabuza’s testimony yesterday (on Wednesday)? Is there anything
you disagree with from his testimony?” Advocate Gareth Lepan, who is
representing the Crown in the matter, asked Dube. In response, Dube stated that
he was representing the people of Ngwempisi and that his job was over. He said
there were new MPs responsible for holding government accountable.
Dube said the only thing on his mind was to do something that would develop his
community. He mentioned that whatever statement he made, he did it as an MP at
the time. On Wednesday, Mabuza declared that he would rather die in jail for his
differing political views and the truth.
Adamant
He said it was not in dispute that emaSwati wanted to be freed and elect their
own government. Mabuza further mentioned that despite his arrest and subsequent
conviction, he was still adamant that the country needed democracy.
He told the court that he still believed that the prime minister (PM) must be
fully elected by the people and not appointed by His Majesty the King. According
to Mabuza, a PM who was appointed by the King did not have the interest of the
people at heart.
Last year, the duo of Mabuza and Dube was found guilty of terrorism (inciting
violence during the June/July 2021 unrest) and murder, among other charges. The
difference between Dube and Mabuza’s statement is that the sworn statement
carries more weight than the unsworn one. An accused person who chooses to make
an unsworn statement is not cross-examined by the prosecution.
This was evident on Wednesday as the Crown did not cross examine Mabuza, but
yesterday its legal representative asked Dube a few questions. During
cross-examination, Dube maintained that he had nothing to do with the statements
that were made by his co-accused. Advocate Lepan, who is representing the State,
tried to  question Dube based on what was said by Mabuza, but he remained
resolute that he had nothing to do with same.