BACEDE IN TROUBLE AFTER SCUFFLE WITH WARDERS

MBABANE – His Majesty’s Correctional Services says drastic measures will be taken against convicted former Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza.

This is in relation to Mabuza’s behaviour, which they labelled as unprofessional and uncalled for. Mabuza, who has been convicted of contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act and two murder charges, together with former Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube, was engaged in a scuffle with warders after he refused to leave the courtroom shortly after the adjournment of the matter. Mabuza openly told the warders that he would not just leave the courtroom without meeting his defence team and the people who were in court to give him moral support.

Irons

This was after the bosses had instructed the warders to put Mabuza and Dube in leg irons and leave the courtroom, immediately after Judge Mumcy Dlamini had adjourned the matter and left the courtroom. The instruction did not sit well with Mabuza, who had anticipated to meet his defence team and those who were in court to give him moral support. Mabuza would shout ‘amandla!’, as he accused the warders of violating his rights. “You cannot rush me; I have the right to meet my defence team and the people who are here to give us moral support. I have not yet been sentenced so; it is within my right to have time with my defence team and emaSwati who are here to give us moral support. I cannot stop fighting for the people to be free,” Mabuza said, while facing the team of the warders who were in riot gear. The warders also had their faces covered with balaclavas.

At the time, the warders were moving towards Mabuza and Dube, who had moved to the corner of the accused dock, to meet the defence team. As they approached Mabuza, he pushed the warder who was at the front, stating that he could not just leave the courtroom without seeing his defence team. Worth noting was that Mabuza had not met his defence team, as he was brought later than the stipulated time, raising a concern from Judge Dlamini. As Mabuza wrestled with the warder at the front, the other one at the back tried in vain to snatch him. A scuffle then ensued between Mabuza and the warders. Senior Advocate Myron Dewrence, who was in close proximity with Mabuza, intervened and blocked his client from fighting the warders.

Those who were in court to give Mabuza and Dube moral support shouted ‘umshayelani (why are you beating him)’, as the advocate blocked his client from fighting the warders. “I cannot allow myself to be harassed by you. This is rubbish! It is exactly what you are doing in prison. You did this even this morning. I cannot stop speaking the truth,” Mabuza said, while his supporters asked the warders why they had hid their faces. The warder continued to show Mabuza the way. Regarding this brawl, His Majesty’s Correctional Services Public Relations Officer Superintendent Gugulethu Dlamini said drastic measures would be taken against Mabuza following his conduct, which she said was uncalled for. Dlamini said Mabuza ought to know the procedures. Asked to expand on the procedures, Dlamini said a courtroom was different from prison. She said inmates had no right to interact with people in court, when they had been brought for trial.

She said even lawyers sought permission to talk to their incarcerated clients. “Courts are not visiting places, so no inmate can be visited in court. The law is clear in that inmates can only be visited in prison within stipulated hours. Drastic measures will be taken against Mabuza for breaking the law,” she reiterated. She added that the Correctional Services will engage Mabuza following the incident.

Professionalism

Dlamini thanked the warders for exhibiting professionalism despite the provocation, while executing their duties. She said there were levels at which issues were dealt with in prison.
Dlamini said Correctional officers considered certain factors when dealing with situations. She made an example about the stage of the trial and the conduct of the accused person as well as the crowd. Dlamini also warned inmates in general against conducting themselves in an unruly fashion that could result in them being charged with other offences. She advised that people should not play to the gallery, to the detriment of the accused persons. She said it was not wise for people to do things that would lead the accused persons into trouble.

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