ABOUT seven months after his release from jail and divorce, former Ngwempisi Member of Parliament Mthandeni Dube has remarried.
Dube married his girlfriend Zanele Mbuli of Nhlangano at his home in Ngcoseni on Saturday.
The former legislator, who is serving the remainder of his sentence under parole, was released from custody on November 4 last year.
A week later, he filed a divorce against his then wife, Hazel Baxter, and a final decree was granted by the Manzini Magistrate’s Court on the same day the divorce was filed.
Ngcoseni Indvuna Mfanyana Msibi confirmed that the traditional marriage took place in the early hours of Saturday.
He said the royal kraal blessed the marriage after vetting the new bride.
“We were informed about the proposed marriage and we received a letter from her royal kraal declaring that she was single,” the indvuna said.
Msibi said the only thing that would have prompted his umphakatsi to object to the marriage was if the bride was married to someone else.
The news of Dube’s marriage was received positively by many people who congratulated him and further wished the family success.
His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), which is still supervising him, also approved this development as it is not in breach of any of the 11 parole conditions that Dube has to meet.
HMCS Deputy Public Relations Officer Baphelele Kunene said there was nothing sinister with Mthandeni Dube getting married.
“As a department we are aware of these developments. Actually, we compliment and applaud him for taking such a step because to us, getting married shows that there is some positive change. We congratulate him for taking this step and we believe that this will contribute to his rehabilitation process,” he said.
Arrested
In July 2021, Dube was arrested for contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act and Sedition and Subversive Activities Act.
He was co-accused with former Hosea MP Bacede Mabuza, who is still serving his sentence.
After a two-year trial, High Court Judge Mumcy Dlamini convicted Dube and Mabuza of terrorism, sedition and murder.
A year later, Dube was sentenced to 58 years imprisonment and Mabuza to 85 years.
With the sentences running concurrently, Dube’s actual time to serve behind bars is 18 years.
In November 2025, Dube received a conditional royal pardon from His Majesty King Mswati III and was released from Matsapha Correctional Facility.
The pardon carries 11 strict conditions, severely restricting his political engagement, movement and public communication.
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Shall be under the periodic supervision of the department of HMCS.
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Shall remain at the place of residence. If the place of residence is changed, he/she shall advise the officer-in-charge or the programme officer for approval before change to the new residence.
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Shall be placed under community service at an institution and/or organisation to be determined by the department of HMCS.
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Shall obey the reasonable directions of the Correctional Services at all times.
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Shall not commit any offence and/or any form of misconduct and shall not possess any offensive weapon.
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Shall not be permitted to leave the kingdom throughout the period.
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Shall surrender his/her passport or other valid travel document to the officer-in-charge herein and not apply for a new passport/travel document. If he/she wishes to travel, he/she shall make a formal request to the commissioner general for consideration.
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Shall not affiliate with any political organisation and/or participate in any political or similar activities.
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Shall not participate in any press or social media (both electronic and print) activities or social gatherings, public presentations or speaking engagements until the expiry of his/her sentence.
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Shall be subject to any other conditions recommended by the Prerogative of Mercy Committee and the commissioner general.
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Any breach of the above conditions will render him liable to forfeiture of sentence in the conditional release and be returned to complete the remainder of the sentence in custody.
