A delegation of ANC leaders met yesterday with victims of AbaThembu king Buyele- khaya Dalindyebo.The group included Deputy Labour Minister Phathekile Holomisa, Deputy Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Deputy Tourism Minister Tokozile Xasa, and ANC MP Mandla Mandela.
They visited a family in Tyalarha who fell victim to crimes committed by the king in 1995 and 1996.
On June 20 1995, Dalindyebo ordered that Stokwana Sonteya’s wife Nocingile and their six children be held and their four rondavels torched.
Sonteya’s wife and children were released at noon that day and told to leave Tyalarha.
That same day, the king ordered that the homesteads of Wayiya Sonteya and Mbuzeni Makhwenkwana be set alight.
In January 1996, Malandela Sontonase, Lunga Pama and Welile Dumo were assaulted, on the orders of the king.
The next day, Saziso Wofa was taken into the king’s custody and assaulted. He later died from his injuries.
Dalindyebo was convicted and sentenced for the crimes, but he appealed his conviction.
The Supreme Court of Appeal set aside his culpable homicide conviction for Wofa’s death for lack of evidence, saying only one person had testified the assault on the deceased had been instructed by Dalindyebo.
Ndabeni-Abrahams said the victims felt justice had now been served, but they said they needed compensation, having lost everything and been left bitter and depressed.
Interventions identified included social-worker assistance and help with education and health.
The CVs and academic reports of children of the victims had been requested.
Stokwana Sonteya said: “They said that they were not sent by the government or by the king, but by the ANC. They said that the reason that they only come now, 20 years after the crimes were committed, was that the organisation did not want to be seen as interfering with the case.
“We just hope that they will not disappoint us by but prove to be caring.”
Dalindyebo is serving a 12-year jail term for his crimes.
He was admitted to Life St Dominic’s Hospital in East London after going on a hunger strike.
ANC visits king’s victims 20 years after crimes
The group included Deputy Labour Minister Phathekile Holomisa, Deputy Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Deputy Tourism Minister Tokozile Xasa, and ANC MP Mandla Mandela.
They visited a family in Tyalarha who fell victim to crimes committed by the king in 1995 and 1996.
On June 20 1995, Dalindyebo ordered that Stokwana Sonteya’s wife Nocingile and their six children be held and their four rondavels torched.
Sonteya’s wife and children were released at noon that day and told to leave Tyalarha.
That same day, the king ordered that the homesteads of Wayiya Sonteya and Mbuzeni Makhwenkwana be set alight.
In January 1996, Malandela Sontonase, Lunga Pama and Welile Dumo were assaulted, on the orders of the king.
The next day, Saziso Wofa was taken into the king’s custody and assaulted. He later died from his injuries.
Dalindyebo was convicted and sentenced for the crimes, but he appealed his conviction.
The Supreme Court of Appeal set aside his culpable homicide conviction for Wofa’s death for lack of evidence, saying only one person had testified the assault on the deceased had been instructed by Dalindyebo.
Ndabeni-Abrahams said the victims felt justice had now been served, but they said they needed compensation, having lost everything and been left bitter and depressed.
Interventions identified included social-worker assistance and help with education and health.
The CVs and academic reports of children of the victims had been requested.
Stokwana Sonteya said: “They said that they were not sent by the government or by the king, but by the ANC. They said that the reason that they only come now, 20 years after the crimes were committed, was that the organisation did not want to be seen as interfering with the case.
“We just hope that they will not disappoint us by but prove to be caring.”
Dalindyebo is serving a 12-year jail term for his crimes.
He was admitted to Life St Dominic’s Hospital in East London after going on a hunger strike.
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