... says DPM participated actively in case investigation
MBABANE – The lawyer who allegedly sexually abused his daughters, helper and cousin alleges that the DPM participated actively in the investigation of his case.
He also alleged that Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Themba Masuku exerted political pressure on the police and the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to get him locked up.
The lawyer’s argument is that Judge Masuku is the DPM’s biological son. He wants the judge to remove himself from the matter.
The lawyer said he had a firm apprehension that Judge Masuku would not be able to retain his impartiality in determining the criminal matter and he could not bring an impartial mind to bear.
He submitted that Judge Masuku is a biological son to the sitting DPM, whose in charge of children’s affairs, the elderly and social welfare in general. The lawyer said the DPM administered and enforced the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act of 2018 under which he is charged.
Father
“It is hardly imaginable that the learned judge would be easily inclined to ‘disappoint’ his biological father and minister for children by an acquittal. The deputy prime minister has been hands on over my matter ever since the complaints were made and participated actively in the investigation stage. The DPM has publicly expressed his views about my matter, inclusive of my possible guilt, advocating for my immediate arrest and conviction.
“The DPM was so active on my matter such that he went out of his way to meet the police and director for public prosecution, discussing my matter and exerting political pressure on them that I be arrested and locked inside prison. Normally, matters of criminal investigation are left to the able hands of the police under the Domestic Violence Department.
“However, the DPM took special interest in my case, which is very strange and out of character with him as he has never exhibited this kind of interest in relation to the multitude of accused persons facing the similar rape-related charges I am facing,” argued the lawyer.
He further told the court that this, on its own, is a fundamental factor to be taken into account in determining the issue of recusal of Judge Masuku from the matter.
The accused informed the court that the DPM gave interviews to the Press - both The Times of Eswatini and the Eswatini Observer, calling for his arrest and non-release from custody.
He said the interviews by the DPM were published in the Times of Eswatini on July 15, 2022 and on Page 3 of The Times, the DPM stated that the matter should be speeded up.
Seriousness
He said the article stated that: “To display seriousness in the matter, Masuku visited, the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) Office, where he engaged with the Sexual Offences Unit, expressing concern on the delay of the matter. He requested that the matter be speeded up.
The article further read: “When reached for comment, Masuku confirmed having met with the DPP, adding that he had in fact dedicated most of his time to seeing the matter being finalised. I am spending more time on this matter, which is why access to my office is very tight these days - narrating the DPM.
The DPM, according to the lawyer, said all he wanted to see was the arrest of the people implicated in perpetrating