MP Bomber Mamba back in court
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MBABANE – Having posted bail on Thursday, Matsanjeni South Member of Parliament (MP) Bomber Mamba was back in court yesterday.
The MP was not present in court on Thursday when High Court Judge Cyril Maphanga granted him bail.
The legislator was admitted to E30 000 bail, but was ordered to pay E10 000 cash and provide surety for the balance.
After granting him bail, Judge Maphanga ordered that Mamba (63) be brought to court yesterday for his bail conditions to be read to him. The MP’s bail conditions included that he had to surrender his travel document or other valid international documents to the investigating officer at Hlatikhulu Police Station. He was warned that pending finalisation of his matter, he should not apply for a new passport or travel document.
The MP was also warned to report monthly, following his release on bail, in person at the charge office at Hlatikhulu Police Station between 8am and 4pm. He was directed to make such report after his release and thereafter, every last Friday of the month. Another condition is that he should refrain from speaking with or communicating with or otherwise contacting any prosecution witnesses in the case against him.
IdentItIes
In the event he did not know the identities of the witnesses, he was ordered to ascertain same from the investigation office.
Mamba was further cautioned to remain within the Kingdom of Eswatini pending finalisation of his matter and to also provide the investigating officer with his residential address forthwith on release, for inter alia, purposes of domicilium citandi (address nominated by a party).
Other conditions were that he should attend court as and when ordered to do so and not commit a similar offence while out on bail. He was advised further that any relaxation or amendment of the above conditions would be authorised by a judge of the High Court.
Lastly, he was told that non-compliance with any of the conditions would result in the cancellation of his bail and the amount paid forfeited to the State. The MP was represented by Noncedo Ndlangamandla and Senior Crown Counsel Mxolisi Dlamini from the chamber of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) appeared for the Crown.
Bail applications filed by Mamba’s co-accused, Ntokozo Dlamini (29) of Ncandweni under Chief Mshikashika, Andile Tabede (20), Siyabonga Nxumalo (18) and Thubelihle Hlanze (19) all of Matsanjeni under Chief GasawaNgwane in the Shiselweni Region, are also opposed by the Crown and are yet to be argued.
Mamba and his co-accused, who include his grandson, are facing charges of attempted murder, kidnapping and, except for the MP, common assault.
The accused persons are alleged to have attempted to kill one Abraham Mabuza, by assaulting him with fists and the blunt of bush knives on January 15, 2023.
ForcIng
The Matsanjeni South MP and his co-accused are also accused of kidnapping Abraham by forcing him to board a Toyota Fortuner registered DSD 662 CH and driving with him to Billy’s Farm.
They are alleged to have further assaulted Philani Mabuza with open hands several times in the face and with the blunt of bush knives on the body.
They, except for the MP, allegedly hit Philani with a stick on the side of the head.
When granting the MP bail, Judge Maphanga said in its totality, the case that was advanced by the Crown for denying bail to Mamba on factors that indicated an undue bias or prejudice to him (Mamba) arose from irrelevant enquiry.