Africa-Press – Eswatini. The attorney representing the soldier who stands accused of killing his three relatives is reportedly receiving death threats.
Renowned Human Rights Lawyer Sipho Gumedze is said to be receiving threats from one of the family members of the deceased. According to a source close to the matter, some people who were directly involved in the matter called Gumedze on his cellphone and proceeded to issue threats against him. This was after they had learnt that he would be representing Nhlanhla Moris Dlamini, who is facing three charges of murder. He is alleged to have shot and killed three of his family members over land dispute. It is alleged that during the telephone conversation, the caller, among other things told Gumedze to desist from representing the soldier, or he would face the consequences. “The caller told him that they will soon deal with him in the event he continues to represent Morris. The caller, who sounded livid, also accused Gumedze of being the one who instructed the accused to act in the manner he (allegedly) did, which resulted in the death of the trio,” alleged the impeccable source. The people he is accused of killing are Andy Dlamini (54), Thandi Lukhele (72) and Dumisile Dlamini (52). He is accused of killing the three on September 24, 2023, near Lomshiyo in the Hhohho Region.
Arrested
In an urgent bail application that was heard at the High Court, Morris told the court that on September 4, 2023, he was arrested by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), who subsequently charged him with three counts of murder and two of arson. He recounted the events that led to the alleged killing of the trio. He alleged that on September 23, 2023, while at his home he was attacked by a group of people, who included the three deceased persons. The attack follows a long protracted land dispute between Morris and the children of the now-late Thandi Dlamini. When reached for comment, Gumedze confirmed that he reported the matter on Friday at Pigg’s Peak Police Station.
Meanwhile, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati at the time of compiling this report said nothing was officially recorded by the lawyer.
“No threats have been reported in any of our police stations,” she said. This is not the first time a lawyer received death threats. Early this year, Human Rights Lawyer Maxwell Nkambule reported endless death threats. Nkambule last year December also allegedly escaped death after gunshots were fired at his car while from a meeting from Big Bend with one of his clients. Last Friday, Morris told the court that the community of Lomshiyo fully sympathised with him. He made these averments in his bail application. “It is my humble submission that my being admitted to bail will not induce a sense of shock or outrage in the community where the offence was committed. My community is full of sympathy for me,” submitted Morris.
He told the court that if admitted to bail, he would not undermine or jeopardise the objectives of the proper functioning of the criminal justice system, including the bail system. “I am aware that the charges I am facing are serious, however, I believe that it is not just the seriousness of the charge that matters but it is the evidence against the person that is crucial,” he argued. The accused averred that no evidence against him could influence him to flee the Kingdom of Eswatini. In motivating his bail application, he went on to submit that he had a lot of responsibilities.
Circumstances
Morris argued that there were special circumstances which warranted his release on bail. He pointed out that he was employed by the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini under the Ministry of Defence as a soldier and he had two wives and children. He brought it to the attention of the court that his two wives were unemployed. He further argued that his continued detention might result in him losing his job. The soldier undertook that if admitted to bail he would not attempt to evade trial and would not attempt to influence or intimidate witnesses. The accused further undertook that if released on bail, he would not conceal or destroy evidence for the Crown.
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