‘ Gawuzela’s wife outsmarts High Court cops
MBABANE – Siphofaneni Member of Parliament Mduduzi ‘ Gawuzela’ Simelane’s wife, Nomalungelo, outsmarted police at the High Court in what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to deny her entry.
Nomalungelo, who is also a gospel singer popularly known as Umkhokheli LaZwide, intended to join the march in support of arrested MPs Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube. She was, however, blocked from being a part of the protesters marching in town and went back to camp at the High Court for the bail hearing to begin.
Upon arrival at the High Court the legislator’s wife found gates closed and was forced to park her car at a distance from the gate. She was later told that she will not be allowed inside the court premises as only family members and close relatives of the accused were allowed access.
LaZwide then decided to stakeout at the gate and wait for an opportunity to slip in unnoticed by the police at the gate. The gospel artist had to disguise with a headscarf completely covering herself, adding a more mysterious appearance with a checkered coat, sun glasses and a mask.
She initially came to court wearing a red dress and was her bubbly self before she was told that she would not be allowed to enter the building.
With her disguise of a simple scarf over her head and face mask with shades full on, LaZwide was able to pass through the main entrance without being noticed and further went through the court entry point and was sanitised for COVID- 19 before entering through the courtroom doors passing the last line of police officers and Correctional Services personnel. Upon entering the courtroom she went straight to the gallery where she sat next to MP Bacede Mabuza’s senior wife and they were observed having a light moment and sharing a few laughs.
She later removed the disguise, slowly peeling off every piece of disguise that hid her identity remaining with only the sunglasses and mask, enough for officers and the media not to recognize her presence.
Interviewed earlier at her stakeout point outside the court, LaZwide revealed that she had been told that she would not be allowed to enter the court but was hoping that she would be able to make a plan.
“As you can see I came here ready for the march and I want to stand with the people just as my husband is standing with them. Above all else though I also want to give moral support to the wives of the MPs that are appearing today ( Thursday) but I have been told that I will not be allowed inside,” she said.
She mentioned that she communicated the development to her husband but had to obviously make a plan. She said her heart had always been with the people and the fact that she married someone like Simelane has made her resolve to stand with the people even more resolute.
She further highlighted that her mission was not only to just support her husband but also be there for the other wives who are affected by the arrest of their husbands.
“I want to sit alongside them in court and follow through the proceedings because they are not just wives, but they are now the heads of their families and therefore I need to stand with them in such a time as this,” she added.
LaZwide was able to sit through the whole proceedings inside court and followed everything along with MP Mabuza’s wife.