HIS Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) has launched an investigation into an audio recording purported to involve former Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube.
In the audio circulating on social media, the person purported to be Dube is heard making unbecoming remarks about the death of Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala.
The speaker, whose voice is alleged to be that of Dube, is heard expressing happiness over the CJ’s death and blaming him for the period he and former Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza, together with other inmates, spent in prison.
However, HMCS has cautioned that it has not yet established whether Dube is indeed the person speaking in the recording.
In a statement issued yesterday, HMCS Deputy Public Relations Officer Assistant Chief Officer Baphelele Kunene said the department had taken note of the audio and the concerns arising from its circulation.
“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,” Kunene said.
He added that the office of the commissioner general had activated the department’s institutional processes, including establishing an enquiry team to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the recording.
“The department considers it important to allow the established investigative processes to run their course before reaching any conclusions,” Kunene stated.
He said this was necessary to ensure that the facts were properly established and that any decision was based on credible and verifiable information.
The investigation could have implications for Dube’s conditions of release if it establishes that he was responsible for the recording and that his conduct amounted to a breach of those conditions.
“Where a matter may have implications for an offender’s conditions of release, the department has a responsibility to establish the facts and assess the matter in accordance with the applicable conditions of release, legal framework and institutional procedures,” Kunene said.
Dube was released in November last year after receiving a special royal pardon from His Majesty King Mswati III. He was among 12 inmates who were conditionally released from custody.
Prior to his release, Dube had been serving an effective 18-year prison sentence following his conviction on charges arising from the unrest of 2021.
He was convicted of offences, including terrorism, sedition and murder and was sentenced by the High Court in July, 2024. The sentence was backdated to his arrest in July, 2021.
His release was preceded by an apology to Their Majesties. During the 2025 Correctional Services Day celebrations, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Prince Simelane conveyed Dube’s apology to His Majesty on his behalf.
The minister had also acted as Dube’s lincusa, or emissary, in communicating the former MP’s remorse to the king.
When announcing Dube’s release last year, HMCS Commissioner General Phindile LaMakhosini Dlamini made it clear that the pardon did not amount to unrestricted freedom.
Dube and the other released inmates were subjected to strict conditions, including a prohibition on participating in press or social media activities, public speaking, political activities and certain social gatherings.
