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I WAS ONCE TORTURED BY THABO – MPHANDLANA

17/06/2023 09:31:00 Thokozani Mazibuko

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MBABANE - Mphandlana Shongwe, who is otherwise known as ‘Comrade Victim’ in the political corridors, has alleged that he also suffered torture at the hands of former cop, Thabo Kunene.

The political activist alleged that this happened countless times during his stints at the hands of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS). This was when the now self-styled ‘commander’ of the solidarity forces was still a police officer. “I am a product of Thabo myself, through torture in his hands from 1989. When you come to my house, you do not knock many times on my door as the torture really affected me,” alleges the political activist.
One of the methods that Kunene, who is otherwise known as the self-styled commander of Swaziland Solidarity Forces (SISF), used to torture him was the method famously known as ‘kushubha’.

Suspects

Sources within the Royal Eswatini Police revealed that this is when a plastic is used to suffocate a suspects so that they can ‘spit out’ the truth.
However Shongwe said he had put those days behind him now and had forgiven all that happened. “In as much as I have been a victim of Thabo Kunene while he was still a cop, I have forgiven him. I was arrested numerous times and many other officers did the same. The first time I was arrested was on October 23, 1984 and that is when I was charged under the Public order Acts,” Shongwe pointed out.

The Public Order Act, 17 of 1963, concentrates on the controls of public gatherings. Prohibition of offensive weapons at public meetings and processions. Power to prohibit entertainment and sporting events. Acts or conduct constituting an incitement to public violence. Jurisdiction in the matter of punishment and saving of other laws as to dispersal of riotous gatherings. In part X of the same Act, is the prohibition of organisations equipped to usurp function of police, prohibition of uniforms, etc. in connection with political objects. “In 1989, I was charged with treason and sedition, while from 1990, I was subjected to a litany of 60 days detention where I visited the Mbabane Correctional Services facility countless times.

Protests

Every time there were protests in the country, I would be detained by REPS until they were over,” added Shongwe. Further, Shongwe alleged that the self-confessed ‘commander’ and his colleagues arrested and detained him for 35 days during Judge Frances Rooney’s time in 1992. In 1995 and 1996, I was charged with sedition after I was accused for burning the national flag, however, the sentence was suspended for five years. In 2006 treason and sedition, I was also on detention for allegedly bombing the Former Deputy Prime Minister, Arthur Khoza’s home.

Hunger strike

The political activist went on to allege that he was also incarcerated after he was charged under the Swaziland Terrorism Act (STA).
“This was not new as it was exactly like the public order Act, as we were always detained for merely partaking in protests,” alleged Shongwe. In 2008 I participated in a hunger strike while I was on detention at the Mbabane Correctional facility. For the struggle, I made a decision not to eat for many days until I got sick. As we are talking today, the effects of that hunger strike are still visible in my health status,” the political activist explained.
The jurisdiction and trial of offences of which Shongwe was charged under was passed to try terrorist offences and punishments and also for the provision and collection of funds to commit terrorist acts.

The former cop, Kunene is currently in custody with his co-accussed Sibusiso Nkomonye and has been slapped with a litany of charges ranging from murder and terrorism charges. Shongwe shared his experience behind bars during the commemoration of the five human rights defenders hoisted by the South African Litigation Centre (SALC), in his speech, Shongwe revealed that he had been incarcerated 35 times in his lifetime. Further, the political activist said he was still out on bail even today for yesteryear alleged offences.

“I am still out on bail even today and I am still reporting to REPS every last Friday of the month,” Shongwe told those who had attended the commemoration. During the event, the SALC honoured deceased political activists like Mario Masuku, Mandla Mkhwanazi, Thulani Rudolph Maseko, Advocate Rudolph Jenson and Leo Gama, to name a few.