NTUTHUKO’S TRIAL SET FOR JUNE

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).

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