King Dalindyebo released on a warning for frenzied axe attack

Luck is once again on AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s side as he’s been allowed to go home, following a savage axe attack on his own family.

The Royal has appeared in the Mthatha District Court, where he has been released on a warning but is expected back in the dock on 1 June 2020.

All hell broke loose on Friday, 13 March 2020, at the royal family’s Bumbane Great Place home in the Eastern Cape. The 55 year-old is believed to have launched a vicious attack on members of the royal family in the wee hours of the morning.

“The SAPS confirms the arrest of a 55 year-old man this morning 13 March 2020 from Bumbane in Mthatha. This follows after cases of malicious injury to property and assault by threats were opened by the acting King”, said police.

Dalindyebo’s son, the acting king, was the intended target

While some of the details surrounding the incident remain unclear at this stage, Dalindyebo’s brother, Prince Zanothando Dalindyebo told the SABC they believed the king had intended on attacking his son, who managed to escape through a window. The kin had reportedly brought several weapons with him, including a machete.

“We are devastated. It is clear he was here to attack the acting king. He was swearing at him”, he is quoted as saying.

“It is so unfortunate that we woke up to this situation. At around 2am-3am, the king descended on the palace with an axe, machetes and a crowbar. He broke through a window and gained access into the house.

“He was moving up the stairs and the acting king jumped out through a window for safety while others tried to sneak out the house and find places to hide around the palace.

“It was a disaster because he wreaked havoc at the palace and he was ransacking the acting king’s room, throwing confidential documents around,” said Prince Zanothando.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Justice Correctional Services’ Minister Ronald Lamola will likely face the ire of opposition MPs who had taken issue with the royal being released. Dalindyebo was granted early parole following a remission of sentence by Ramaphosa.

Dalindyebo had been serving a 12 year prison sentence for kidnapping and assault.

The king’s violent history

Many who are acquainted the king, are unlikely to be surprised by the latest incident as he is known for his destructive temper and violence.

In 2009, the Eastern Cape High Court sentenced him to 15 years for seven counts of kidnapping, three of assault, three of arson, and one each of defeating the ends of justice, culpable homicide, and defeating the ends of justice.

The royal was accused of kidnapping a woman and her six children, setting their home on fire and beating up four youths, one of whom died, because one of their relatives had failed to present himself before the king’s traditional court.