FORMER WARDER GINA FACES MURDER, THEFT

MBABANE – Fomer Correctional Services’ officer Wandile Mphumelelo Mhelwane Gina has been slapped with two charges of murder and theft.

This was after he made his first appearance before High Court Judge Mumcy Dlamini yesterday, where the matter was postponed to June 7. It is alleged in the composite summary of the charges that Gina, with the assistance of Sibusiso Nxumalo, Percy Machocco and others, kidnapped Correctional Services officer Mike Mthethwa on October 19, 2022 who was on guard at Sidvwashini Correctional Services.

It is alleged that Mthethwa was taken to Ngwenya area, where he was killed and his body dumped. Subsequently, it is alleged that the accused persons then stole a service rifle that was in possession of the deceased, who was found by the police on October 20, 2022. It is also stated that the police retrieved cartridge cases at the scene. This happened in the height of the civil unrest in the country during the month of June 2021, where government and most emaSwati had their properties seriously damaged and or burnt, and lives were lost while some were injured.

Emerged

“A group of people who called themselves ‘underground solidarity forces’ emerged. The attacks were targeted mainly at the armed forces, judicial officers, prosecutors, traditional authorities, regiments and the public,” reads the charge sheet in part.  Gina has been charged with contravening Section 5 (1) of the Suppression of Terrorism Act, 2008 read with Section 2 (2) (a) and (e) of the Act as amended.

“In that upon or about October 19, 2022, and at or near Ngwenya area in the Hhohho region, the said accused person acting individually, and/or jointly in furtherance of a common purpose with Muzi Mnisi, Sibusiso Nxumalo, Percy Machocco Sithole and/or other person (s) (who are fugitives of justice) did unlawfully commit a terrorist act by killing one Mike Mthethwa, a member of His Majesty’s Correctional Services, an act which was committed for political, and or ideological purpose (s).”

The matter took less than five minutes before Judge Mumcy and noteworthy is that Gina was heavily guarded by Correctional Services’ officers. He is represented by lawyer Leo Dlamini. On another note, Gina pleaded with the media not to take his pictures when he made his maiden court appearance yesterday. The suspect who was wearing a black sweat shirt with a hoodie and a face mask repeatedly turned his face away from the cameras when members of the media attempted to take his picture.

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