Cops gave consent to investigate - jailed MP’s grandson
MBABANE – Incarcerated Matsanjeni South MP Bomber Mamba’s grandson, Thubelihle Hlanze, has alleged that the police gave the MP the go-ahead to investigate after there was a break-in on his farm.
Hlanze (19) is one of the people who were arrested together with the Member of Parliament (MP) and charged with attempted murder, kidnapping and assault common.
The other accused persons are Ntokozo Dlamini (29) of Ncandweni under Chief Mshikashika, Andile Tabede (20) and Siyabonga Nxumalo (18), all of Matsanjeni in the Shiselweni Region under Chief Gasawa Ngwane.
Arrested
They were arrested by Haltikhulu police on February 16, 2023.
The accused persons are alleged to have assaulted Abraham Mabuza by hitting him with fists, bush knives and a stick on the side of the head.
They are alleged to have also kidnapped Abraham by forcing him to board a Toyota Fortuner registered DSD 662 CH and driving with him to Billy’s Farm.
They are further accused of allegedly assaulting one Philani Mabuza, with open hands several times on his face and with the blunt of bush knives on the body.
Mamba’s bail application was opposed by the Crown. The matter was argued and Mamba is awaiting Hlanze filed his application for bail last Friday.
The Crown is opposed to Hlanze’s application for bail and yesterday filed a notice of intention to oppose.
In his papers, Hlanze on February 16, 2023, he left his parental homestead at Matsanjeni and proceeded to the farm at Bhejisa with the MP, who is his grandfather.
He said upon arrival at the farm, they found one Ntokozo Dlamini, who is employed at the farm, and he informed his grandfather about the break-in that
In that upon or about February 15, 2023, at or near Hluti in the Shiselweni Region, the said accused persons, each or all acting in furtherance of common purpose did unlawfully and intentionally assault one Abraham Mabuza by hitting him with fists, blunt of bush knives all over the body and further hitting him once with a stick on the head and did thereby commit the said offence.
In that upon or about February 15, 2023, at or near Bhejisa in the Shiselweni Region, the said accused persons each or all acting together in furtherance of common purpose did unlawfully and intentionally deprive Abraham Mabuza, a male adult of his liberty by forcing him to board motor vehicle a Toyota Fortuner grey in colour registered DSD 662CH and drive him to Billy’s farm thus commit the said offence.
In that upon or about February 15, 2023 at or near Billy’s farm in the Shiselweni Region, the said accused persons each or all acting together in furtherance of common purpose did unlawfully and intentionally assault one Philani Mabuza with open hands several times on his face and further assault him with the blunt of bush knives on the body thus commit the said offence.
had occurred the previous day. He said Dlamini told them that he had some leads.
According to Hlanze, the MP’s farm house had been broken into about seven times since 2010 and the breakins were reported to the police but no arrests were ever made.
“Myself, Siyabonga, Ntokozo and Andile then informed my grandfather about this. He took his motor vehicle and proceeded to the police station to report the leads that Ntokozo had. Upon his return, he informed us that the police had given him the go-ahead to investigate the said leads,” Hlanze alleged.
He said they proceeded to call Philani Mabuza, the MP’s former employee, and asked him to come to the farm since they had some questions they wanted to ask him.
“Indeed he came to the farm as he had been previously employed there some years back. Unfortunately, when he arrived I was busy with some farm work and did not follow up as to what was happening.
Implicated
“However, I then learnt that Philani had implicated one Abraham in the commission of the offences and the family car was taken by Ntokozo and driven by him so that we could follow up the lead with Abraham. I left with Philani to where Abraham was and we found him. Ntokozo asked him to come to the farm with us and he agreed.
Upon arrival the farm, Abraham was questioned about the break-in,” narrated Hlanze. The veracity of these allegations is still to be tested in court.
He alleged that Abraham confessed in his presence to have broken in and stolen some items, including traditional attire, belonging to the MP. The accused alleged that Abraham further directed them to the person he had sold the traditional attire to.
“I must state that Abraham was uncooperative and he was fighting Ntokozo
ments,” he said.
In an interview yesterday, SNAT Secretary General (SG) Lot Vilakati, said the delayed replacement of teachers had been a thorn to the association for a long time. As a result, Vilakati said the association had on numerous occasions registered its desire to be part of the TSC Board as observers, since they always had data of the vacant posts in all schools in the country. He said there were many schools with vacant posts across the country.
“At times, government builds schools and admits children without hiring more teachers. Another question is why does government consider replacing permanent teachers with temporary teachers.
“As an organisation, we have advocated for the replacement of temporary teachers with permanent ones as contained in our demand of January13, 2023. We wonder why government always wants to save money with teachers,” he said.
Speeding
Vilakati said the organisation did all in its powers to push government into speeding up the replacement of deceased teachers. Worth noting is that government, through the Ministry of Public Service, had promised to cover half of temporary teaching posts to permanent position after it (government) increased the budget by E900 million for the financial year 2023/2024.
Meanwhile, SNAT also noted that the country should prepare for the worse. The association’s Manzini branch Chairperson, Mkhontfo, said it was high time for emaSwati to treat foreigners well, because they might soon need their help.
In vernacular, Mkhontfo said; “Lesimo sesibi eveni ngangobe sesikhatsi sekutsi uma kukhona wasemphumalanga lomatiko, mphatse kahle ngoba utaludzinga lusito lwakhe masinyane.”
Even though Mkhontfo did not mention any country, the mourners interpreted his statement as referring to Mozambique. such that he beat Ntokozo with a fist. Ntokozo fought back and that is when Abraham tried to escape from the room they we were in. He ran straight to the window and smashed same with his hand.
“Hearing the commotion, my grandfather came out of his house to where we were. He found Abraham bleeding and instructed us to stop holding him and he took him to hospital. I must state that at no point did I assault Abraham nor did I force him to board the motor vehicle. Further, at no point was Abraham assaulted with a bush knife.”
Hospital
Hlanze submitted that he was also present when he was taken to hospital and they were turned back because a police report was required. He said they went to the Hluti Police Station and reported the incident. Abraham and Philani, according to Hlanze, were taken to hospital and the former was treated and discharged. He told the court that Abraham was admitted and discharged on the following day.
Hlanze stated that at the police station they recorded statements and the police advised them to go to court on the following day. He said they were detained until today.
He submitted that if admitted to bail there was no likelihood that he would abscond trial. He also said there was no likelihood that if released on bail he may interfere or attempt to influence or intimidate Crown witnesses.
Hlanze is represented by Lindokuhle Shongwe of Mabila Attorneys. The matter is pending before Judge Mzwandile Fakudze.
Without expanding further, Mkhontfo said the situation was not good in the country. Mkhontfo, who stunned many in the marquee, was quick to state that the association stood for the welfare of teachers and was not a political entity, as some might perceive.
“Some people may think that a rebel (livukelambuso) is standing before them. The fact of the matter is that I am not a rebel but a member of an association which represents the welfare and interest of teachers in the country,” he said.
It should be noted that Mkhontfo made the statement at a time when SNAT had on numerous occasions clarified that it was not a political organisation. The association attracted criticisms from some sectors of society, including government, after its burial scheme donated a casket worth E15 000 to the late Mlandvo Khumalo, who was linked to an organisation calling itself Swaziland International Solidarity Forcers.
Khumalo was shot dead by security personnel after he had shot and injured umbutfo, who was on his way to join the regiment at Mahlabatsini. However, the casket was withdrawn following the talks and criticisms.
Exile
Also, the association is currently without its President Mbongwa Dlamini, who is reportedly in self-imposed exile.
Mkhontfo would shout ‘amandla’ during the course of his speech. The shout of ‘amandla’ caused murmurs among some mourners, including the family members.
Worth noting was that the Nkambule family is blessed with teachers, head teachers, nurses, soldiers and police officers, among other professionals who were also in attendance.
The association was allowed to bid farewell to its deceased colleague according to their custom. Part of their custom include surrounding the grave while singing the song ‘SNAT akalali labanye nabalele’. They also chanted ‘long live, the spirit of comrade Sandile, long live’.