His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) has clarified that no special treatment was extended to murder convict and former minister Ntuthuko Dlamini to attend the Incwala Ceremony, as other inmates were also in attendance. The department emphasised that rehabilitation programmes within the service were non-discriminatory and were implemented strictly in line with the law, established procedures and professional assessments.
The department added that the participation of inmates such as Ntuthuko, Maponi Ngubane and Mafanukhona ‘Kakona’ Dlamini in the Incwala Ceremony should, therefore, be understood within this legal and rehabilitative framework.
HMCS explained that eligibility to participate in activities such as cultural ceremonies was determined through strict internal procedures, including behaviour records, demonstrated remorse, compliance with institutional rules, risk assessments, security considerations and recommendations by professional rehabilitation and security teams. It said only inmates who show a consistent positive response to rehabilitation efforts and pose no threat to public safety were considered.
“While it is acknowledged that these inmates are serving heavy sentences, sentence length alone does not automatically exclude an offender from rehabilitation programmes, particularly those that promote moral renewal, cultural identity and personal transformation,” said the department.
Rehabilitation in law, according to HMCS, is not a reward, nor is it a reduction of sentence.
“It is a constitutional and statutory obligation of correctional services aimed at correcting behaviour, restoring values and preparing offenders for responsible citizenship, whether during incarceration or upon eventual reintegration into society.
“Denying access to rehabilitation purely on the basis of public sentiment or the severity of an offence would amount to discrimination and a departure from both the law and correctional best practice.”
| His Majesty’s Correctional Services says Ntuthuko Dlamini’s attendance at Incwala followed
lawful rehabilitation procedures, noting Kakona Dlamini and Maponi Ngubane also participated.
The department clarified its role as not to add further suffering or exclusion beyond what the law has prescribed. It emphasised that correctional facilities exist not only to protect society, but also to correct behaviour, promote accountability and prepare offenders for eventual reintegration, where applicable.
The department added that rehabilitation was not a privilege reserved for those with short sentences, but was a fundamental principle of modern corrections and applied to all inmates, regardless of the length or nature of their sentence.
It also noted the importance of the public appreciating that participation in cultural or rehabilitation programmes does not confer freedom, special privilege or immunity from punishment.
The department added that inmates remained fully under lawful custody, serving their sentences as imposed by the courts. It said such participation was supervised, controlled and temporary, and its sole purpose was rehabilitation.
“As Emaswati, culture remains a powerful tool in shaping values, discipline and respect for authority. Incorporating culture into rehabilitation aligns with national values and strengthens moral accountability among offenders.
“HMCS, therefore, calls upon the public to distinguish between punishment and rehabilitation, and to understand that a correctional system focused only on confinement without rehabilitation risks producing individuals who are more damaged and less accountable.”
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It added that rehabilitation was not leniency, but a measured, lawful and responsible investment in safer communities.
“The service remains committed to upholding justice, protecting society and implementing rehabilitation fairly, professionally and without discrimination, in accordance with the law,” it concluded.
Families of victims outraged
The families of the three men who were tragically killed by former minister Ntuthuko Dlamini have expressed shock, deep hurt and anger following reports that he was allowed to attend the Incwala ceremony.
They say this decision has reopened wounds that had barely begun to heal, bringing their grief back to the surface.
Dlamini, who served as Minister of Public Works and Transport and was the Member of Parliament (MP) for LaMgabhi Constituency, saw his political career come to an abrupt end after being found guilty of gunning down three men on September 7, 2020 over a land dispute. He was also convicted of illegal possession of a firearm.
However, barely five years into his prison sentence, he was temporarily released to attend the ongoing Incwala Ceremony.
His participation in the sacred event has sparked widespread public criticism and debate, particularly on social media.
Recently, Ntuthuko joined His Majesty King Mswati III at the Engabezweni Royal Residence for the little Incwala, dressed in full traditional regalia.
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Speaking with visible pain, the families of the victims, all based at Mhlabubovu towards Bhunya, revealed that they were devastated by what they described as undeserved freedom granted to a man convicted of taking their loved ones’ lives.
“This is injustice and very disturbing to us,” said Mfanasibili Dlamini, the son of the ex-minister’s first victim, Simon Dlamini.
“It means no matter what terrible crime you’ve committed, it won’t be long before you’re allowed to rejoin the public. I thought if one is a convicted felon, the only people they are permitted to see are their families—not the public,” he added.
Mfanasibili expressed disbelief at the precedent being set, where a person who took another’s life could still enjoy the freedom to mingle with the public, even being in close proximity to the king.
“What about others who have been in prison longer? Why can’t they participate in Incwala?” he asked. “Ntuthuko’s time behind bars is still fresh compared to many others. We didn’t expect he’d be allowed to mix with the public so early,” he said.
His brother, Bheki Dlamini, echoed these sentiments, adding that it seemed as if those responsible for granting the former minister this privilege did not care about the pain felt by the families of the victims.
“It makes one believe that even if they commit a crime like he did, they will enjoy the privilege of being near the king,” Bheki said.
Both sons spoke of the profound loss they experienced after their father’s death. Simon Dlamini had been the pillar of the family, offering guidance and shouldering major responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Gladys Shongwe, the 70-year-old widow of S’khulu Jameson Shongwe, the second victim, was overcome with emotion when the Sunday Observer reached out for her reaction to Ntuthuko’s participation in the ceremony.
She bent her head as tears streamed down her cheeks and attempted to wipe them off with the blanket wrapped around her waist. It took a few minutes before she could collect herself.
“Ngiyamangala (I’m shocked),” she said, her voice quivering. “I’m not okay about this—that he can be allowed to attend Incwala and be with His Majesty. There’s nothing we can do now. It’s God who knows and can do something.”
She said it was “too painful” to see someone who had taken her husband’s life so mercilessly—killed in broad daylight—being allowed to attend such a revered event.
“Emaswati hold Incwala in high regard,” she said, adding that allowing a convicted murderer to participate was shocking.
Her eldest daughter (name withheld) confirmed the deep pain her family still feels, describing the development as unfair.
“My children, including five boys, were inconsolable even during their father’s funeral. One fainted and another was so angry he wanted to avenge the family. Life has never been the same,” she said.
Both mother and daughter noted that while Ntuthuko’s family continues to thrive through his businesses, the families of his victims have suffered in silence.
“What His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) has done by releasing Ntuthuko has not benefited us in any way towards healing. The pain has been reignited,” the daughter said.
Thandi Tsabedze, the widow of Themba Tsabedze, the third victim, was also unsettled by the news. She questioned why HMCS did not attempt to rehabilitate the victims’ families and asked when such a law was enacted to allow a freshly convicted felon to attend Incwala.
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“How do they expect us to feel when we see this man in the papers and other media, dancing freely like an innocent person?” she asked.
Her son, Sandile Tsabedze, said the news was devastating to his peace and healing.
“It would have been better if the former minister had already spent a very long time behind bars before being afforded such a privilege. His release for Incwala is doing nothing except reopening wounds that had barely healed,” he said.
HMCS, in a recent statement, explained that the participation of selected inmates in approved cultural activities formed part of a structured rehabilitation intervention aligned with its mandate of correction, rehabilitation and reintegration.
The department emphasised that rehabilitation begins immediately upon conviction or admission into custody, regardless of the length or seriousness of a sentence. HMCS stated that inmates are enrolled into programmes based on assessed needs, conduct and demonstrated progress while in custody, rather than on profile or previous public standing.
