MBABANE – There is still no trace of former Ngwempisi Member of Parliament Mthandeni Dube, who has disappeared amid an investigation into an alleged breach of his conditional release.
Dube’s family says they remain in the dark about his whereabouts. A relative confirmed that efforts by the family to establish contact with the former legislator had proved futile.
“We are still in the dark on his whereabouts and we pray and hope he is safe and alive,” said the relative.
The development comes after an enquiry team established by His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) visited Dube’s Ngwempisi homestead to establish the facts surrounding an audio recording allegedly attributed to him, but could not find him. Family members who were found at the homestead informed the officers that Dube had left several days earlier for an unknown destination. The latest confirmation from the family means that they have also been unable to establish where the former legislator is. Amid his disappearance, Facebookers posted fake sightings of the former Ngwempisi MP on social media, some of which were old photos of Dube at an airport.
HMCS confirmed that it activated its institutional processes to investigate the alleged audio recording, which is linked to an interaction with an online publication where Dube is purported to have mocked the death of the late Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala. The late Chief Justice passed away while receiving medical treatment in South Africa.
The alleged interaction is significant because one of the primary conditions attached to Dube’s Special Royal Pardon explicitly prohibited him from participating in press or social media activities, whether electronic or print.
Dube was conditionally released from custody on November 5, 2025, after being granted a Special Royal Pardon issued under Section 329, read together with Sections 330, 331 and 332 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act No. 67 of 1938. At the time of his release, HMCS Commissioner General Phindile Dlamini explained that Dube was among 12 inmates released under a strict set of conditions regulating their conduct for the remainder of their sentences under community corrections.
Upon his release, Dube expressed gratitude to Their Majesties and HMCS, publicly stating that he had been rehabilitated, was not affiliated with any political organisation and supported the Tinkhundla System of Government.
However, the conditions governing his release strictly prohibited him from:
Participating in press or social media activities (electronic or print), public speaking and attending social gatherings.
Affiliating with any political organisation or participating in political activities.
Leaving the Kingdom of Eswatini, requiring him to surrender his passport or travel documents to the officer in charge.
Changing his designated place of residence without prior approval from the officer in charge.
Committing any offence or possessing an offensive weapon.
HMCS stressed that any breach of these conditions could result in the forfeiture of his conditional release and an immediate return to custody to serve the remainder of his term.
Dube was convicted alongside former Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza on July 15, 2024, by Judge Mumcy Dlamini. Both were sentenced for terrorism and murder, with Mabuza receiving an effective sentence of 25 years and Dube receiving 18 years.
When the duo was arrested on June 26, 2021, former Siphofaneni MP Mduduzi ‘Gawzela’ Simelane fled to neighbouring South Africa and later relocated overseas. Following their sentencing in 2024, an appeal was filed in the Supreme Court later that year, which is yet to be enrolled.
While Mabuza remains the only one of the trio behind bars while pursuing his appeal, Dube withdrew from the appeal process. Instead, Dube engaged the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prince Simelane, as his lincusa to extend an apology to His Majesty the King on his behalf, ultimately leading to his conditional release in November 2025. In a press statement, HMCS Public Relations Officer Baphelele Kunene confirmed that the department launched an investigation following the circulation of the audio recording.
“His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) wishes to inform members of the public that the department has launched an investigation following the circulation of an alleged audio recording in which certain remarks are purportedly attributed to inmate Mthandeni Dube, who is currently out on special pardon,” said Kunene.
Kunene noted that the Office of the commissioner general took note of the audio and activated an enquiry team to establish the facts. He stressed that investigative processes must run their course before conclusions are reached to ensure decisions are based on credible and verifiable information.
“Once the investigation has established the necessary facts and the department is in a position to make an informed determination, the appropriate position will be communicated to the public,” Kunene added.
The contents of the alleged audio recording have not been independently verified by this publication.
Dube’s attorney, Sandile Motsa, stated that he had not spoken to his client for some time. Motsa disclosed that his last communication with Dube was through Dube’s sister. He maintained that he could not comment on the allegations as he regarded the information as hearsay, confirming that Dube had not contacted him directly.
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