MBABANE – A growing number of inmates have accused some lawyers of taking payments for legal services and disappearing without representing them.
Many of the affected inmates and other accused persons claim that the lawyers take their money but fail to render any services, leaving families to grapple with the financial and emotional consequences.
Some of the inmates allege that the monies paid to the lawyers were hard-earned by their relatives, who sometimes had to borrow from moneylenders or sell livestock to cover legal fees.
One inmate at Sidwashini Correctional Services narrated the hardship her family faced: “My grandmother, who survives on a meagre elderly grant, had been saving for months to pay the lawyer.
“When she approached him, he became aggressive, claiming the money was insufficient. Later, he stopped answering calls entirely. We feel abandoned and betrayed.”
Others shared similar experiences, saying that lawyers ignore their calls and fail to appear in court or provide legal advice, despite having been paid upfront.
The issue of lawyers accepting fees and disappearing also surfaced during the recent Human Rights Day commemoration held at the Theatre Club in Mbabane, where human rights advocates raised concerns about vulnerable inmates being exploited.
The Times of Eswatini has previously received calls from inmates reporting similar experiences, where lawyers allegedly took payments and failed to provide representation.
In response, this publication sent a questionnaire to the Law Society of Eswatini (LSE), seeking clarity on the matter.
The Law Society’s response provided detailed insight into how such complaints are received, processed and addressed.
The law society confirmed it is aware of allegations that some lawyers are taking money from inmates and failing to render legal services. In addition, the Law Society has received formal complaints from inmates regarding such conduct.
In most of these cases, a list is sent from a Correctional facility. The list would contain the name of the inmate, the name of the attorney and the amount involved.
“However, the nature of the complaint is not detailed in the list. The list, without the detail as to the nature of the complaint, is not a formal complaint.
“The absence of detail requires that the inmate be interviewed to establish the nature of the complaint,” the society explained.
*…
Lawyers accused of corruption
MBABANE – An increasing number of emaSwati are lodging complaints with the Eswatini Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration, accusing legal practitioners of taking money and disappearing without handling their cases.
The commission says this trend has become one of the most persistent and troubling access-to-justice violations brought before its offices.
During the Human Rights Day commemoration at the Mbabane Theatre Club, Commission representative Nelly Zwane revealed that dozens of people continue to come forward reporting that lawyers go missing in action after being paid, leaving clients stranded with no legal guidance or progress. “Some complain that lawyers take money and disappear, leaving clients with no updates on their cases,” she said, adding that the behaviour undermines trust in the justice system and leaves already vulnerable individuals without recourse.
The issue of lawyers absconding is compounded by a justice system already strained by delays. Zwane noted that many of the commission’s complaints involve cases that drag on for years without being finalised, including matters filed by inmates who have spent lengthy periods on remand awaiting trial.
“These delays affect people’s livelihoods, families and mental well-being. Many have lost hope because they do not know when their cases will be heard,” she said.
Divorce cases—particularly those involving customary marriages—also feature prominently among the commission’s caseload. Zwane said many spouses, especially women, feel silenced in proceedings. “Many women say their voices are not heard. They are denied the opportunity to present their side of the story,” she said.
*Full article available in our publication
Leave a comment