Law society boss released from custody

Prominent lawyer Mangaliso Magagula, who also serves as the President of the Law Society of eSwatini and who was found guilty of contempt of court by High Court Judge Titus Mlangeni, was released from custody yesterday. According to the Sunday Observer (eSwatini), this was after his lawyers argued that there was an appeal that overrode the High Court's judgment that sent him into the custody of His Majesty’s Correctional Services at Sidwashini the previous day. This follows the finding of contempt of court against Magagula of Magagula and Hlophe Attorneys, who was accused of making disparaging remarks about court proceedings in official pleadings. Following the guilty verdict, the judge ordered that Magagula be taken into custody, where he would remain detained until his next court appearance, scheduled for Thursday. An attempt to file an application to have Magagula remanded out of custody was dismissed by the judge, who stated that he did not want to set such a precedent. Magagula filed an appeal with the Supreme Court against the judgment. The lawyers argued that the law stipulates that once an appeal is filed with the Supreme Court, the judgment of the High Court is rendered ineffective. This is why Magagula’s lawyers felt he was supposed to be released from custody immediately.