His hands outstretched in victory, ”People’s Poet” Mzwakhe Mbuli was freed from Midrand’s Leeuwkop prison on Friday — into the arms of adoring fans, family and friends.
”God sustained. I am unsinkable,” he proclaimed as the prison gates swung open shortly after 9am. The crowd ululated wildly, pushing and shoving in a bid to get closer to him.
Mbuli was sentenced to 13 years in jail in April 1999 for his part in an armed robbery two years earlier. The sentence was later reduced to ten years by the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. He has served about four years.
A jubilant Mbuli emerged in a dark blue suit, with a Zulu shield embroidered on the chest.
Former African National Congress Women’s League president Winnie Midikizela-Mandela, dressed elegantly in pink, smiled broadly as she escorted him through the crowd.
Singer Brenda Fassie and other performers wore bright orange overall with the words ”Not Guilty” printed on the back.
They sang and danced as Fassie’s latest CD resounded from the sound system of a car in the parking area. There was also a group of drummers, energetically beating their instruments in anticipation of Mbuli’s appearance.
After his brief words, Mbuli was whisked away in a luxury car. Other vehicles followed, their hooters blaring.
Mbuli was taken to the Mega Music concert venue in Newtown, Johannesburg, where he was scheduled to address fans and give a performance to celebrate his freedom.
He and his bodyguards, Happy Skwambane and Ben Masiso, were arrested after the First National Bank branch in Waverley, Pretoria, was robbed of R15 039 in October 1997.
The poet continued to maintain his innocence. He claimed he was framed because he had information of senior government officials’ involvement in drug dealing.
Family gathered at the jail reiterated their belief that Mbuli had never been guilty.
An uncle, Elliot Mbuli, said the poet had a steady income at the time of his arrest. There was no need for him to steal.
”The money said to have been stolen by him was equal to amounts he regularly gave to the poor,” said the uncle. – Sapa