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. In a live social media address, Dube spoke to the nation and his family for almost an hour, breaking his silence after days of uncertainty over his whereabouts. He explained that his position was based on his belief that he should have never been convicted.
Dube was convicted in July 2024, along with former Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza, and subsequently sentenced. He was later granted a Special Royal Pardon and conditionally released from custody on November 5, 2025. However, Dube has breached eight of the 11 conditions attached to his pardon, according to information from His Majesty's Correctional Services. These conditions included residence and relocation restrictions, travel restrictions, and media and public speaking restrictions.
During his address, Dube rejected the basis upon which he had been imprisoned, maintaining that he was innocent of the crime he had been sentenced for. He also warned correctional officers against attempting to approach him, stating that he was a threat to them. Dube 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 also spoke about his experience behind bars, recalling an incident in which he fell while cleaning and hit the back of his head. He described the incident as a harrowing experience but expressed gratitude for surviving it. Additionally, he acknowledged that some correctional officers were sympathetic to their situation.
Dube 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. He also appealed to the public to continue supporting Mabuza, who remains imprisoned.
In response to Dube's address, HMCS Deputy Public Relations Officer Baphelele Kunene stated that the correctional authority was not yet in a position to comment, as an investigation was ongoing. Kunene said that they would be able to make a statement once the investigation was complete and a report had been tabled.
Dube ended his address with a personal message to his family, assuring them that he was safe. He directly addressed his mother and relatives, telling them that God had kept him safe and that he would keep in touch. His family had previously confirmed that they did not know where he went, but Dube reassured them that he had received assistance and had a security team looking after him.
Key points
- Mthandeni Dube was convicted in July 2024 and released in November 2025 under a Special Royal Pardon.
- Dube breached eight conditions of his pardon, including travel and media restrictions.
- He has declared that he will not return to prison, citing his innocence.
