Mthandeni vanishes as HMCS probes audio

MBABANE – Former Ngwempisi Member of Parliament Mthandeni Dube is nowhere to be found.

This was determined after an enquiry team established by His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) to investigate an alleged breach of Dude’s conditional release visited his homestead, but could not find him.

The officers went to Dube’s homestead at Ngwempisi yesterday as part of investigations into an audio recording allegedly attributed to the former MP.

Investigations conducted by this publication have established that Dube was not at his homestead when the officers arrived.

Close family members who were reportedly found at the homestead informed the officers that Dube left the homestead few days ago for an unknown destination.

HMCS yesterday confirmed that it had activated its institutional processes and established an enquiry team to investigate the alleged audio recording and establish the facts surrounding it.

The recording is linked to an interaction with an online publication, during which Dube is purported to have commented on the death of the late Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala.

The alleged interaction with the online publication is significant because one of the conditions attached to Dube’s release under the Special Royal Pardon prohibited him from participating in press or social-media activities, including electronic and print media.

He was also prohibited from public speaking and attending social gatherings until the expiry of his 18-year sentence.

Another condition prohibited Dube from leaving the Kingdom of Eswatini during the period of his conditional release.

In a press statement issued yesterday, His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) Public Relations Officer Baphelele Kunene said the Department had launched an investigation following the circulation of the alleged audio recording.

“His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) wishes to inform members of the public that the department has launched an investigation following the circulation of an alleged audio recording in which certain remarks are purportedly attributed to inmate Mthandeni Dube, who is currently out on special pardon,” said Kunene.

The department said the Office of the Commissioner General had taken note of the audio recording and the concerns arising from its circulation.

It said it had as a result activated its institutional processes, including the establishment of an enquiry team, which was working to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged recording.

HMCS said it was important for the established investigative processes to run their course before any conclusions were reached.

“This is necessary to ensure that the facts are properly established and that any decision is based on credible and verifiable information,” said Kunene

HMCS further said that where a matter could have implications for an offender’s conditions of release, it had a responsibility to establish the facts and assess the matter in accordance with the applicable conditions of release, legal framework and institutional procedures.

The department said any decision that could have serious consequences had to be based on credible, verified and reliable information.

“Once the investigation has established the necessary facts and the department is in a position to make an informed determination, the appropriate position will be communicated to the public,” HMCS said.

Dube was released from custody on November 5, 2025, after being granted a Special Royal Pardon.

At the time, this publication reported that he was among 12 inmates who were conditionally released under a strict set of conditions.

The conditions were imposed for the remainder of their sentences and were intended to regulate their conduct while serving their sentences under community corrections.

According to the conditions published by this publication, Dube was required to remain under periodic supervision.

He was also required to remain at his designated place of residence and was expected to inform the officer in charge or programme officer and obtain approval before changing his residence.

Another condition required him to obey reasonable directions issued by Correctional Services at all times.

He was further prohibited from committing any offence or misconduct and from possessing an offensive weapon.

The conditions stated that he would not be permitted to leave the Kingdom of Eswatini during the period of his conditional release.

Dube was also required to surrender his passport or any other valid international travel document to the officer in charge.

He was prohibited from applying for a new passport or travel document. Should he wish to travel, he was required to make a formal request to the Commissioner General for consideration.

The former MP was also prohibited from affiliating himself with any political organisation or participating in political or similar activities.

He was similarly barred from participating in press or social-media activities, whether electronic or print, as well as social gatherings and public presentations or speaking engagements until the expiry of his sentence.

The conditions attached to the Special Royal Pardon further stated that any breach could result in forfeiture of the conditional release and the offender being returned to custody to complete the remainder of the sentence.

It is against these conditions that the alleged audio recording prompted HMCS to activate its investigative processes and establish an enquiry team.

The contents of the audio could not independently be verified by this publication.

The alleged comments came at a time when the country was mourning the death of the late chief justice, who died while receiving medical treatment in South Africa.

Maphalala’s death has since been followed by tributes from the Judiciary, the legal profession and members of the public, while his family has also spoken about his death.

When Dube was released last year, HMCS Commissioner General Phindile Dlamini explained that the conditional release was made under the King and Ingwenyama’s Special Pardon of 2025.

The pardon was issued under Section 329, read together with Sections 330, 331 and 332 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act No. 67 of 1938.

At the time of his release, Dube expressed gratitude to Their Majesties and HMCS and said he had been rehabilitated during his time in custody.

He also publicly stated that he was not affiliated with any political organisation and said he continued to support the Tinkhundla System of Government.

The latest developments will now form part of the investigation being conducted by HMCS as it seeks to establish the facts surrounding the alleged audio recording and determine whether there was any breach of the conditions attached to Dube’s conditional release.

Dube’s Attorney, Sandile Motsa, told this publication that he had not spoken to Dube for some time. He said the last communication he had with Dube was through his (Dube’s) sister.

Motsa maintained his previous position that they could not comment on the matter at this stage, as he regarded the information as hearsay. He also disclosed that Dube had not contacted him for some time.

BY MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE AND KWANELE DLAMINI

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