FORMER Ngwempisi Member of Parliament Mthandeni Dube has declared that he will not return to prison, insisting that he was arrested, convicted and sentenced for a crime he never committed.
Dube made the remarks during a live social media address in which he spoke to the nation and his family for almost an hour, breaking his silence after days of uncertainty over his whereabouts.
With members of the public and the media waiting to hear from him following his disappearance, Dube explained why he left and why he does not consider himself a fugitive.
Dube said his position was based on his belief that he should have never been convicted.
“I am now a free man because I never committed any crime,” he said, alleging that his sentence had been ‘cooked’ and that those remaining should serve the rest of the sentence.
The former MP said he would return to Eswatini at some point but made it clear that he would not return to prison.
“I will come back to Eswatini but I am not setting my foot in jail,” he said. Dube and former Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza were convicted in July 2024 and subsequently sentenced. Dube was later granted a Special Royal Pardon and conditionally released from custody on November 5, 2025.
In his latest address, Dube rejected the basis upon which he had been imprisoned, maintaining that he was innocent of the crime he had been sentenced.
The former legislator also warned correctional officers against attempting to approach him.
“I’m a threat to warders now. I always knew my potential, so they should stay away,” he said.
He said warders should instead focus on inmates whom he described as having been rightfully convicted.
Dube also spoke about his experience behind bars, recalling an incident in which he fell while cleaning and hit the back of his head.
“I thought my head would crack but I thank God I survived,” he said.
He described prison life as difficult, citing sleeping under a small blanket, taking cold baths, eating soup and being woken during the night for searches.
Dube said some of his relatives were also at times prevented from checking on them. However, he acknowledged that some correctional officers were sympathetic to their situation.
He appealed to the public to continue supporting Mabuza, who remains imprisoned.
Dube also explained his disappearance, saying he left the country because he believed he was not safe.
He used the remainder of his address to discuss the country’s political and economic situation, calling on leaders to engage citizens and resolve differences through dialogue.
Meanwhile, HMCS Deputy Public Relations Officer Baphelele Kunene said the correctional authority was not yet in a position to comment as an investigation was ongoing.
“Our office is not in a position to issue any comment or make any statement because there is an investigation currently ongoing. We will be able to do so once the investigation is complete and a report has been tabled,” he said.
Mthandeni reassures family he is safe
AFTER spending almost an hour addressing the nation on social media, former Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube ended his address with a more personal message – an assurance to his family that he was safe.
Dube directly addressed his mother and relatives during the live meeting.
“May I assure you that I am safe boMzomba,” he said.
He told his mother that God had kept him safe and explained that he had left his home on Sunday because he felt unsafe.
“It is true I left on Sunday because I felt unsafe,” he said.
Dube said he did not want his family to panic and appealed to them to remain united and patient.
“Please remain in unity and be patient. I will keep in touch,” he said.
His family had previously confirmed that they did not know where he went.
Yesterday Dube told his family that immediately after arriving there, he received assistance.
He further revealed that he had a security team that was looking after him.
He thanked them for their prayers and support during his incarceration.
Earlier in the broadcast, Dube also thanked members of the public for supporting him and his family following his arrest and during court proceedings.
He said he remained grateful to those who prayed for them while they were in prison.
…Dube breached eight pardon conditions
FORMER Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube has breached eight of the 11 conditions attached to his Special Royal Pardon, according to information from His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS).
Dube was released from the Matsapha Correctional Facility in November 2025, together with other convicts, following the first Special Royal Pardon.
He was released subject to 11 conditions which he was required to observe for the duration of his sentence, as laid down by HMCS.
Dube went missing from his home at Ngcoseni without reporting to his supervisors, prompting correctional services to launch an investigation.
The institution has since established a committee which has visited Dube’s home as part of efforts to locate him.
His disappearance came after a conversation circulated on social media in which he allegedly expressed his personal views about the death of Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala.
One of the conditions required Dube to comply with residence and relocation restrictions. This meant that he had to reside at a designated community or approved address and notify the officer-in-charge or programme officer and obtain prior approval before changing his place of residence.
By leaving his home without prior approval, he breached this condition.
He also breached travel restrictions which prohibited him from leaving the country for the remainder of his sentence. The conditions stipulated that should travel be necessary, he was required to submit a formal written request to the commissioner general for consideration.
Dube also created a social media page, which was prohibited under the conditions of his pardon.
His social media activity and the sharing of the sentiments attributed to him amounted to a breach of the media and public speaking restrictions. The condition prohibited him from participating in media activities, including electronic and print media as well as social media, public speaking or presentations and certain social gatherings until the expiry of his sentence.
Dube was also assigned to clean the yard at Cana Clinic, where he carried out gardening duties on stipulated days.
Since his departure, no one has been engaged to clear the yard, according to information gathered by this publication.
A senior officer at the clinic said she could not comment on Dube’s absence because he reported directly to correctional services.
His failure to continue with the duties also constituted a breach of the community service placement condition, under which he was assigned to perform community service at a public institution or organisation determined by HMCS.
He was further required to obey all reasonable instructions and directions issued by correctional services and maintain good conduct throughout the duration of his sentence.
The eight breaches are understood to relate to conditions governing his residence, travel, social media and public communication, community service and general conduct.
