MINI DRAMA AS MPS TELL SENIOR WARDER OFF

MBABANE – The two incarcerated MPs were yesterday involved in a tell-off with an officer from His Majesty’s Correctional Service before leaving the courtroom.

The duo of Hosea Member of Parliament (MP) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube stand accused of contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act along with Siphofaneni MP Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane who has been declared a fugitive from the law since his whereabouts remain unknown. Trouble began when the senior officer ordered his subordinates to leave with the MPs while the legislators were engaged in talks with their defense team. The senior officer told the warders that the MPs’ time was up.

Rights

“Do not take it that we do not know the law and our rights as we stand here. We have a right to discuss with our lawyers and further get the ruling. What you are doing is an infringement of our right and breach of the law and we cannot allow that to happen. The law is clear that you should keep a distance when we speak to our lawyers and you cannot rush us while we await the ruling,” MP Mabuza told the senior officer. Those who were in court to give the MPs moral support shouted ‘amandla’ as Mabuza responded to the senior officer. Mabuza further told the officer that what he was doing was exactly what they were fighting against in the country. “If we speak democracy, we mean we do not want what you are doing right now,” Mabuza said. MP Dube was heard saying; “If you want to kill us, do it now. We are tired of people who behave like you.”

The MP alleged that it was not the first time the senior officer ill-treated them.  As the MPs spoke, some of the security personnel murmured saying “uyayibona ke lentfo lena,’ meaning you see this thing.” However, none of the security personnel responded to the MPs who then continued with their discussion with their lawyers. Also, the MPs raised their fists as they passed through their supporters who were gathered around the accused dock. Some of the supporters shouted at the warders whom they said obstructed their view. “Suka wena sifuna kubona bahololi betfu,” shouted one of the MPs supporters.

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