MTHATHA, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 5: King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo at Bumbane royal palace on July 5, 2013, in Mthatha, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Felix Dlangamandla)
MTHATHA, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 5: King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo at Bumbane royal palace on July 5, 2013, in Mthatha, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Felix Dlangamandla)
King Dalindyebo of the AbaThembu Royal Family has been arrested on Friday morning, after he was accused of being behind a hectic altercation at the Bumbane Palace. The Eastern Cape-based residence was swarmed by SAPS, who then took the traditional leader into custody.
AbaThembu Royals in high palace drama
Early reports suggest that King Dalindyebo “assaulted his family with bushknives and an axe”. It’s believed there was an almighty row between the monarch and his son Azenathi, who has been serving as an “acting king”. The alleged rampage is set to become another criminal footnote in Dalindyebo’s chequered history.
AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has been arrested by the police.
— Siseko Kondile (@SisekoK) March 13, 2020
This after he allegedly attacked and assaulted members of his family inclucing his son, Acting King Azenathi Dalindyebo #Dalindyebo pic.twitter.com/ZUccSYMZeN
King Dalindyebo’s criminal history and violent past
The said king, some will recall, was incarcerated for an effective 12-year jail term in 2015 following the striking down of his marathon attempt for an appeal by the Supreme Court of Appeal. He had been convicted in 2009 for offences that included kidnapping, assault, and defeating the ends of justice.
In December, the AbaThembu royal family confirmed that Dalindyebo was released from the East London Correctional Centre, after he was listed for a ‘presidential remission’. According to reports, the king was transferred to his Nkululekweni home in Mthatha, where he was greeted by his wife, Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo. But just a few months after his effective pardon, Dalindyebo is facing another stint in jail
AbaTembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has went on rampage, assaulting his family with bushknives and axe including his son ,the acting king Azenathi Zanelizwe Dalindyebo e is currently vandalizing the palace The sitaution is bad as we speak. Police have been called.
— Prime Minister of kwaXhosa Republic (@seni_lavu) March 13, 2020
King Dalindyebo latest news and updates – presidential remissions under fire
Of course, we’re still waiting on the exact details from this case. But this could really leave a few political representatives red-faced – not least Cyril Ramaphosa, whose decision to grant presidential remissions at the end of 2019 will now be severely scrutinised. The head of state reduced sentences – and granted parole – for thousands of inmates, but his gesture of goodwill may have already blown-up in his face.
The likes of the EFF and Mandla Mandela were also vocal critics of King Dalindyebo’s incarceration. But should Friday’s allegations prove to be true, neither the royal nor his backers will have a leg left to stand on.
