The ANC is "better off" without AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, the party said after the king joined the DA on Monday.
"We wish him all the best in his political wilderness, because he will need it," Eastern Cape African National Congress secretary Lubabalo Mabuyane said in a statement.
"We believe that the ANC is better off without him and his hysterical paroxysms that attempted to undermine our integrity as the organisation and that of our leadership."
He said the party welcomed his decision, as it was an "affirmation" of the constitutional right to freedom of association.
"His decision to quit the ANC and his unbecoming conduct has surely rattled the bones of his forefathers who played a significant role in the ANC and the freedom of this country," Mabuyane said.
"With his majesty out of the ANC, we will have less worry as we will not have to baby-sit a king with reckless conduct. Maybe in the DA he has found people of the same ilk as him."
Democratic Alliance Eastern Cape leader Athol Trollip announced earlier on Monday that Dalindyebo had joined the party.
"After a long meeting to discuss the DA's values and the DA's constitution, I can confirm that AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has joined the DA," Trollip said.
Trollip said Dalindyebo believed the DA's "brand of clean government and delivery" was needed in the province.
"I was up front with King Dalindyebo with regards to some of the controversies that have surrounded him," he said.
"I made it clear that the DA expects its members to conduct themselves in line with the party's values and principles."
Dalindyebo is still appealing a 15-year jail term on various charges, including attempted murder. I made it clear that the DA expects its members to conduct themselves in line with the party's values and principles."
Last month, Dalindyebo made headlines when he reportedly described the ANC and President Jacob Zuma as "corrupt hooligans". He made the remarks in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, at a prayer service for ailing former president Nelson Mandela.
Dalindyebo reportedly said the ANC had distorted the anti-apartheid icon's legacy and behaved arrogantly. He said he would stop smoking dagga the day Zuma stopped being corrupt.
Dalindyebo previously said he would join the DA as a birthday gift to Mandela. Mandela, who remains in a critical but stable condition in a Pretoria hospital, turns 95 on Thursday.
On Saturday, AbaThembu royal family spokesman Nkosi Daludumo Mtirara said the family had apologised to Zuma. - Sapa
ANC 'better off' without the king
"We wish him all the best in his political wilderness, because he will need it," Eastern Cape African National Congress secretary Lubabalo Mabuyane said in a statement.
"We believe that the ANC is better off without him and his hysterical paroxysms that attempted to undermine our integrity as the organisation and that of our leadership."
He said the party welcomed his decision, as it was an "affirmation" of the constitutional right to freedom of association.
"His decision to quit the ANC and his unbecoming conduct has surely rattled the bones of his forefathers who played a significant role in the ANC and the freedom of this country," Mabuyane said.
"With his majesty out of the ANC, we will have less worry as we will not have to baby-sit a king with reckless conduct. Maybe in the DA he has found people of the same ilk as him."
Democratic Alliance Eastern Cape leader Athol Trollip announced earlier on Monday that Dalindyebo had joined the party.
"After a long meeting to discuss the DA's values and the DA's constitution, I can confirm that AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has joined the DA," Trollip said.
Trollip said Dalindyebo believed the DA's "brand of clean government and delivery" was needed in the province.
"I was up front with King Dalindyebo with regards to some of the controversies that have surrounded him," he said.
"I made it clear that the DA expects its members to conduct themselves in line with the party's values and principles."
Dalindyebo is still appealing a 15-year jail term on various charges, including attempted murder. I made it clear that the DA expects its members to conduct themselves in line with the party's values and principles."
Last month, Dalindyebo made headlines when he reportedly described the ANC and President Jacob Zuma as "corrupt hooligans". He made the remarks in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, at a prayer service for ailing former president Nelson Mandela.
Dalindyebo reportedly said the ANC had distorted the anti-apartheid icon's legacy and behaved arrogantly. He said he would stop smoking dagga the day Zuma stopped being corrupt.
Dalindyebo previously said he would join the DA as a birthday gift to Mandela. Mandela, who remains in a critical but stable condition in a Pretoria hospital, turns 95 on Thursday.
On Saturday, AbaThembu royal family spokesman Nkosi Daludumo Mtirara said the family had apologised to Zuma. - Sapa
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