AbaThembu king Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo is back in a private hospital bed.
The king, 51, who is said to be suffering from depression and loss of appetite, reportedly refused to take his regular prison meal of samp and beans, causing his condition to deteriorate.
Eastern Cape correctional services spokesman Zama Feni said Dalindyebo was rushed to Life St Dominic’s Hospital at midnight and hospitalised early on Sunday for the second time since his prison term began on December 31.
“He is still in hospital undergoing medical treatment,” Feni said.
Dalindyebo was first hospitalised on January 8 suffering from dehydration after he allegedly refused to eat prison meals. He was discharged last Thursday night and returned to his private cell in unit 5 in the maximum security prison.
The Dispatch on Saturday reported that a special menu had been sent to the prison detailing what the king should be served for breakfast, lunch, supper and snack times.
One correctional services official said that while the East London prison has its own hospital to treat prisoners, it was not as well equipped as Frere or Life St Dominic’s hospitals.
“Here we only treat offenders who we see qualify for in-house treatment,” said the official.
Dalindyebo’s spokesman Mfundo Mtirara said it was too early for him to comment as he had not yet spoken to the king’s wife.
Sources within the correctional services department said that, while being taken to hospital, the king was not handcuffed.
“This department takes care of sick people and they are immediately referred to the doctors or hospital. When the king arrived he was in good spirits and the next minute he was very sick. He walked into the waiting correctional services vehicle, he was not cuffed or in leg irons,” said the source.
The source said Dalindyebo was classified as a C group prisoner, which is someone who has been sentenced to more than 12 months and who is seen as dangerous.
“He’s dangerous and he’s supposed to be in handcuffs each time he leaves these premises but that is not happening. That is what we call special treatment.”
Two senior correctional services officials said prison authorities had again found themselves at the mercy of jailed Dalindyebo. They allegedly asked him to change out of his Nike tracksuit into prison uniform, but the king refused.
The officials said this was at 10am on Saturday, hours before his second hospitalisation.
Feni declined to comment on these allegations. — zwangam@dispatch. co.za
Jailed king back in hospital
The king, 51, who is said to be suffering from depression and loss of appetite, reportedly refused to take his regular prison meal of samp and beans, causing his condition to deteriorate.
Eastern Cape correctional services spokesman Zama Feni said Dalindyebo was rushed to Life St Dominic’s Hospital at midnight and hospitalised early on Sunday for the second time since his prison term began on December 31.
“He is still in hospital undergoing medical treatment,” Feni said.
Dalindyebo was first hospitalised on January 8 suffering from dehydration after he allegedly refused to eat prison meals. He was discharged last Thursday night and returned to his private cell in unit 5 in the maximum security prison.
The Dispatch on Saturday reported that a special menu had been sent to the prison detailing what the king should be served for breakfast, lunch, supper and snack times.
One correctional services official said that while the East London prison has its own hospital to treat prisoners, it was not as well equipped as Frere or Life St Dominic’s hospitals.
“Here we only treat offenders who we see qualify for in-house treatment,” said the official.
Dalindyebo’s spokesman Mfundo Mtirara said it was too early for him to comment as he had not yet spoken to the king’s wife.
Sources within the correctional services department said that, while being taken to hospital, the king was not handcuffed.
“This department takes care of sick people and they are immediately referred to the doctors or hospital. When the king arrived he was in good spirits and the next minute he was very sick. He walked into the waiting correctional services vehicle, he was not cuffed or in leg irons,” said the source.
The source said Dalindyebo was classified as a C group prisoner, which is someone who has been sentenced to more than 12 months and who is seen as dangerous.
“He’s dangerous and he’s supposed to be in handcuffs each time he leaves these premises but that is not happening. That is what we call special treatment.”
Two senior correctional services officials said prison authorities had again found themselves at the mercy of jailed Dalindyebo. They allegedly asked him to change out of his Nike tracksuit into prison uniform, but the king refused.
The officials said this was at 10am on Saturday, hours before his second hospitalisation.
Feni declined to comment on these allegations. — zwangam@dispatch. co.za
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