Mbabane – After months of speculation surrounding South African businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s alleged possession of a Swazi identity card, the Mbabane Magistrates Court has heard how the controversial document was allegedly obtained, as the trial involving Home Affairs employee Nonhlanhla Malambe finally got underway.
The first witness, Mcolisi Shongwe, took the stand and told the court that he only discovered that the person he had helped obtain the identity document was Matlala after seeing reports about him on social media.
Malambe is represented by defence counsel Sivesonkhe Ngwenya, who questioned Shongwe about his evidence during cross-examination.
According to Shongwe, the events leading to the alleged acquisition of the identity document began when his friend, Malome Jobe, who is based in Johannesburg, contacted him through WhatsApp.
Jobe allegedly told Shongwe that some people would contact him but did not explain why they wanted his number.
Shongwe testified that he agreed to have his number shared with the strangers because he trusted Jobe.
Between 5pm and 6pm, he received a WhatsApp call from the individuals, who asked about his whereabouts in Eswatini and requested to meet him at 10am the following day.
The following morning, Shongwe went to Hilton Garden Inn, where he allegedly found three men and a woman waiting for him.
He testified that he spoke to the woman and one of the men, who introduced themselves as people sent by Jobe.
According to Shongwe, they told him they needed a Swazi identity document and asked whether he could assist them.
He said he told them he could make some calls.
Shongwe then contacted his cousin, Malambe, to arrange a meeting.
He testified that he met Malambe at the Ndlanubeka offices, where he explained the request and asked whether it was possible to obtain the identity document.
According to the witness, Malambe told him that it was possible.
Shongwe then returned to Hilton Garden Inn, picked up the group and drove them to the Ndlanubeka offices.
He told the court that they proceeded with the process and that one of the men experienced difficulties speaking siSwati.
Malambe allegedly asked the man whether he would be able to answer questions properly in siSwati.
During cross-examination, Ngwenya questioned Shongwe about his relationship with Malambe.
Ngwenya: How does Shongwe know the accused?
Shongwe: She is my cousin.
Shongwe said he had known Malambe for between 15 and 20 years.
Ngwenya put it to him that his mother, Christiana Thembi Zulu Shongwe, and Malambe had never met and did not know each other.
Shongwe responded that he was not sure.
The witness later told the court that he was informed that the identity document was ready.
He said he returned to Hilton Garden Inn to collect the group before taking them back to the Ndlanubeka offices, where the document was collected.
Shongwe further testified that he accompanied the individuals to the border.
They allegedly travelled in separate vehicles, including two BMWs.
Upon reaching the border, one of the men allegedly gave Shongwe R1 500, after which they parted ways.
Shongwe told the court that he only later discovered through social media that the person linked to the identity document was Matlala, whom he described as a prominent South African businessman.
After making the discovery, he contacted Malambe and allegedly told her: “Kube bengati kutsi sisita Nkulunkulu wasemhlabeni ngabe savuka.”
The statement, according to the evidence, reflected his shock at discovering the identity of the person they had assisted.
Shongwe said he initially did not pay much attention to the matter.
However, after reports concerning Matlala surfaced on social media, he received a call from the police and went to provide a statement.
He said police questioned him about what he knew and recorded his statement.
He was later called again and gave another statement in the presence of his mother.
Shongwe said he repeated the same statement about having helped someone whom he later discovered was a prominent figure.
During further cross-examination, Ngwenya questioned Shongwe about his relationship with Jobe.
Shongwe said he had known Jobe for about six years and that they were involved in the same business venture.
He admitted that he never asked Jobe why he wanted to give his number to strangers.
According to Shongwe, he did not question Jobe because he trusted him.
He further told the court that he was “99 per cent connected”, saying he usually managed to assist whenever someone needed something.
The matter has been adjourned to October for continuation of the trial, with more witnesses expected to testify.
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