Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has taken time out of her busy schedule to visit King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo in the East London maximum security prison.
The meeting took place between 8am and noon on Monday in a spacious boardroom in the prison. They chatted over tea made by an inmate.
Sisulu’s spokesman, Tuso Zibula, confirmed: “Yes, did visit the king and it was a private visit.”
Sisulu has often attempted to mediate behind the scenes when Dalindyebo dug in his heels on matters including the boycotting of his uncle Nelson Mandela’s funeral in 2013.
Dalindyebo was offended that President Jacob Zuma, whom he called “a Zulu boy” at the time, would welcome guests and dignitaries instead of him. He later apologised to Zuma for his remarks.
Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) provincial chairman Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana yesterday said relations between the Sisulus and the king’s family go back to the days of the anti-apartheid struggle.
“The minister is the king’s subject. They are very close. Lindiwe is one of the ANC leaders who was against the king’s incarceration.”
Nonkonyana said he also visited the king last week. “He remains traumatised by his incarceration. He is not well.”
Eastern Cape correctional services spokesman Zama Feni said he was not aware of any meeting between the minister and the king.
“We have no recollection of her being here and I cannot find anyone who has,” Feni said yesterday.
‘Supportive’ Sisulu visits king in jail
Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has taken time out of her busy schedule to visit King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo in the East London maximum security prison.
The meeting took place between 8am and noon on Monday in a spacious boardroom in the prison. They chatted over tea made by an inmate.
Sisulu’s spokesman, Tuso Zibula, confirmed: “Yes, did visit the king and it was a private visit.”
Sisulu has often attempted to mediate behind the scenes when Dalindyebo dug in his heels on matters including the boycotting of his uncle Nelson Mandela’s funeral in 2013.
Dalindyebo was offended that President Jacob Zuma, whom he called “a Zulu boy” at the time, would welcome guests and dignitaries instead of him. He later apologised to Zuma for his remarks.
Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) provincial chairman Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana yesterday said relations between the Sisulus and the king’s family go back to the days of the anti-apartheid struggle.
“The minister is the king’s subject. They are very close. Lindiwe is one of the ANC leaders who was against the king’s incarceration.”
Nonkonyana said he also visited the king last week. “He remains traumatised by his incarceration. He is not well.”
Eastern Cape correctional services spokesman Zama Feni said he was not aware of any meeting between the minister and the king.
“We have no recollection of her being here and I cannot find anyone who has,” Feni said yesterday.
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