By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:State intelligence records exposes how the Manzini police attempted to ‘cook’ a rape case against convicted pro-democracy ex-MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza.

The State Intelligence information suggests that, the rape case was ‘cooked’ by the Manzini police between May and August 2020 at the time when Mabuza was opposing the Eswatini Government or King Mswati’s moves to legalize dagga through Parliament and then award a license to international companies.

Ex-MP Bacede Mabuza’s alleged girlfriend was then asked to sign a written police statement confirming that she was raped but, the woman whose name cannot be revealed for ethical reasons, refused, contacted her ex-boyfriend Bacede Mabuza and informed him about the plot to arrest him on fabricated rape charges.

Worth-noting, before his arrest, Bacede Mabuza confirmed to this journalist that, one of his girlfriends was contacted by the police and asked to lie that he raped her.

“She refused and even gave me a copy of the police statement they tried to convince her sign. We are no longer dating but she is so loyal such that, she refused to betray me saying I was treating her well while we were dating,” the ex-MP confirmed back in 2020.

But now, fresh information has emerged suggesting that, the State first tried to use rape in an attempt to throw Mabuza behind bars, the strategy was to use a criminal offense not linked to his political career so that, he cannot receive public sympathy and international support.

“Background check has been conducted on suspect, he seems to like women, ex-girlfriend to be contacted and engaged on possibilities of signing a statement,” reads a brief write-up in one of the intelligence reports.

But the leaked intelligence reports expose how on the very same year, the police allegedly tortured former President of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Swaziland Ncamiso Ngcamphalala until he relieved himself.

Ngcamphalala was subsequently forced to consume his own waste and, the torture has been condemned by the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) amid human rights violations in the tiny Kingdom.

Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson, declined to comment about the latest allegations.

On another note, Bacede Mabuza, the then Hosea MP was subsequently charged with terrorism and murder among other politically motivated criminal charges, he was arrested for demanding democracy.