Africa-Press – Eswatini. “This is equal to punishing my children for my political beliefs.”
These averments were made by incarcerated former Member of Parliament (MP) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza, in support of the application where his children are seeking an order to be allowed access to see him in prison. In his supporting affidavit, Bacede brought it to the attention of the court that he was the biological father of the applicants, some of whom were still young to appreciate the status quo (the existing state of affairs).
Prolonged
“I wish to confirm that my children have not been able to visit and talk to me for unreasonably prolonged period. I confirm further that my attempts to have some of them see me after many requests to the officer in-charge as per the dictates of Correctional Services Regulations Notice, 2022, fell on deaf ears, as my children were turned back on October 6, 2023,” submitted the former Hosea MP. Mabuza stated that he was concerned about the stance that had been taken by the commissioner general of His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) in so far as his children were purportedly denied reasonable access to him. He said the action of the respondent (commissioner general) was tantamount to punishing his children for his political beliefs.
Mitigate
“I submit further that I have been denied access to a telephone which would at least mitigate for the lack of visitation right. It is common cause that fathers play a unique role in the development of their children, which is appreciated, culturally, nationally and internationally but my children are denied this,” argued Bacede. Also to depose to a supporting affidavits were Bacede’s, two wives, Hloniphile and Bongumenzi. Bongumenzi in particular confirmed the assertion by the children that they had not been able to see her husband for a prolonged period. She told the court that it was brought to her attention that their attempts to see Mabuza were unsuccessful on October 6, 2023. “It is important for me to state that I am concerned with the stance taken by the first respondent (commissioner general of His Majesty’s Correctional Services) in so far as my children are denied reasonable access to their father,” submitted Bongumenzi.
She claimed that she made a request to the commissioner general of HMCS to allow the children to see their father, but her attempts proved to be an impossible mission. It was also her averment that, as a parent, she found the alleged behaviour of the commissioner general of HMCS to be of great concern. “I fear that my children are being punished for their father’s political beliefs,” she argued. The matter is still pending in court and the commissioner general, through lawyers from the chamber of the attorney general (AG), is yet to file her papers.
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