Mbabane — The High Court of Eswatini has opposed an urgent bail application filed by Mandla Mfanasibili Malindzisa, a 40-year-old KaShewula resident accused of the fatal pistol shooting of public transport worker Mcolisi Kennedy Fakudze.
The state entered its opposition to the emergency release request during a scheduled hearing session. The defense counsel’s non-appearance also prompted an immediate postponement of the case proceedings.
Malindzisa faces a charge of murder. Police investigators state that the applicant shot and killed Fakudze on April 18, 2026, near the Eteni area in Matsapha within the Manzini District. Police officers attached to the Manzini Lukhozi unit later arrested Malindzisa on April 27, 2026, alongside co-accused Themba Dumsani Dlamini. Authorities concurrently charged both men with the unlawful possession of an unlicensed Star pistol with a scratched serial number and one live round of 9mm ammunition.
Sanele Mabila, an attorney practicing under S Mabila Attorneys in association with TL Dlamini & Associates, filed the applicant’s certificate of urgency and notice of motion. The defense petitioned the court to bypass normal service rules and timelines due to Malindzisa’s ongoing detention. The application stated that the suspect suffers from a terminal illness that requires regular medical monitoring. It also cited potential job loss and the financial distress of his eight dependents, who face expulsion from school over unpaid fees.
Malindzisa denied all involvement in the shooting incident through his founding affidavit. He claimed that he did not set foot at the scene of the crime on the alleged date and that investigators are using him as a scapegoat. The applicant stated that he has no connections outside of Eswatini and promised to abide by all court-mandated conditions if granted bail.
The suspect remains remanded at the His Majesty’s Correctional Services Remand Centre in Manzini pending the next scheduled court appearance.
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