Traditional leaders ask President Zuma to pardon jailed king Dalindyebo

The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) has petitioned President Jacob Zuma to secure the release of jailed AbaThembu king Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.

“President Jacob Zuma has referred to the Department of Justice and Correctional Services‚ a letter and petition received from the Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson of Contralesa‚ Inkosi Mwelo Nonkonyane‚ requesting that President Zuma considers granting His Majesty King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of abaThembu a Presidential Pardon‚” the presidency said in a statement.

“The President has duly forwarded the petition and letter to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services for further processing as the Department responsible for such applications.

“Upon completion of all the internal processes‚ the Minister will submit the King’s application for pardon to the President for a decision‚” the brief statement read.

Dalindyebo‚ 51‚ was readmitted to a private East London hospital for medical treatment on January 17. Eastern Cape correctional services spokesman Zama Feni said Dalindyebo‚ 51‚ was rushed to Life St Dominics after his condition deteriorated. Dalindyebo was first hospitalised on January 8 suffering from dehydration after he allegedly refused to eat prison meals.

The king was detained on December 30 to start serving a 12-year prison sentence for assault‚ kidnapping and arson.

Dalindyebo committed these crimes against his subjects in the mid-1990s.