REPS’ investigation into Thulani’s death continues
THE Royal Eswatini Police Services (REPS) is continuing to investigate the death of Human Rights lawyer Thulani Maseko.
As part of the comprehensive investigation launched after Maseko’s death, the police requested his wife Tanele to come in for questioning and further surrender her travel document, her mobile phone, and that of Maseko.
This according to the REPS was met with resistance from Tanele, in that she allegedly refused to surrender the items which the police deemed crucial for the investigation in pursuit to shed light on events surrounding the case.
She failed to cooperate or failed to appear for scheduled meetings, despite agreeing to do so. In a statement, the REPS stated that on March 27, 2024, when Tanele returned to Eswatini through the Ngwenya Border Post she was subsequently requested to proceed to the Mbabane Police Headquarters regarding her husband’s murder.
To ensure compliance and prevent evasion, she was asked to surrender her travel document and mobile phone, which she agreed to do. At the headquarters, accompanied by her children and legal representatives, Maseko’s wife was briefed on the purpose of her summons, and the engagement lasted less than an hour. Police stated that she was never detained during this process.
Subsequently, an agreement was made to reconvene at the Manzini Police Regional Headquarters on March 28 at noon. However, disagreements arose regarding the interview process, with Tanele insisting that all individuals accompanying her should be present during the interview, contrary to police protocols.
The statement further expressed the government’s commitment to resolving Maseko’s murder and the importance of his wife, Tanele’s cooperation in providing vital information for the investigation.
On Tuesday, April 2, Tanele’s travel documents were cleared and returned to her. The latest development transpired after Maseko’s wife was interviewed as part of an investigation into her late husband’s murder which occurred last year at Kaluhleko, Bhunya.
Tanele was interviewed for almost four hours, however, police said they resorted to postponing the investigations after lawyers came and wanted to be part of the interview.
Addressing a few protesters who had come to support Tanele during the interview, her attorney Mzwandile Masuku disclosed that the police had agreed to release her mobile phone.
“The police gave her the travel document back but then instructed that she fetch her mobile phone at Bhunya Police Station. Otherwise, Tanele is committed and will continue to assist the police until the killers of her husband are caught,” the lawyer said.
Maseko was shot dead by unknown men who fired several gunshots at hishome near Bhunya in the Manzini Region.