Eastern Cape kings resolved yesterday to write to the ANC’s top six urging them to compel President Jacob Zuma to pardon jailed AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.
AmaXhosa king Zwelonke Sigcawu, Western Thembuland King Siyambonga Matanzima and his adviser Zwelabantu Matanzima, Western Mpondoland Chief Ntandoyesizwe Ndamase and Sipho Tanana of the Rharhabe Kingdom met in Nkululekweni, in Mthatha yesterday and decided the letter to the Zuma-led national bosses should request a meeting within two weeks.
The resolution was a response to Zuma’s office’s failure to set up an appointment between the two parties after they wrote on February 4 requesting an audience.
King Sigcawu said they had burning issues to discuss with the ANC national leadership and Dalindyebo’s release was at the top of the agenda.
“We would like to know when would be the right time to release King Zwelibanzi because his nation needs him.
“We want to meet with the ANC top six to air our grievances. We are not fighting with them, but we would like to raise the issues we have with them,” he said.
Asked what would happen if ANC bosses did not meet with them within two weeks, Sigcawu said: “The decision will come from the people, because we lead people”.
Matanzima said while they encouraged their subjects to register to vote, the outcome of the meeting would determine a way forward.
Sigcawu said if it were up to them they would meet the president at least three times a year to iron out any problems arising.
The kings are planning a prayer meeting to pray for Dalindyebo’s release, and invitations will be extended to South African and African kings who oppose the imprisonment.
Dalindyebo is serving 12 years at the West Bank maximum security prison in East London for kidnapping, assault, arson and defeating the ends of justice.
Zuma has previously said he was still waiting for Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha’s recommendation on possibly releasing Dalindyebo.
The Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA and the AbaThembu are leading the charge as calls mount for Zuma to grant the king a presidential pardon.
Western Mpondoland spokesman Prince Mlamli Ndamase was tasked with writing to Luthuli House. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za
Kings to approach ANC top six
AmaXhosa king Zwelonke Sigcawu, Western Thembuland King Siyambonga Matanzima and his adviser Zwelabantu Matanzima, Western Mpondoland Chief Ntandoyesizwe Ndamase and Sipho Tanana of the Rharhabe Kingdom met in Nkululekweni, in Mthatha yesterday and decided the letter to the Zuma-led national bosses should request a meeting within two weeks.
The resolution was a response to Zuma’s office’s failure to set up an appointment between the two parties after they wrote on February 4 requesting an audience.
King Sigcawu said they had burning issues to discuss with the ANC national leadership and Dalindyebo’s release was at the top of the agenda.
“We would like to know when would be the right time to release King Zwelibanzi because his nation needs him.
“We want to meet with the ANC top six to air our grievances. We are not fighting with them, but we would like to raise the issues we have with them,” he said.
Asked what would happen if ANC bosses did not meet with them within two weeks, Sigcawu said: “The decision will come from the people, because we lead people”.
Matanzima said while they encouraged their subjects to register to vote, the outcome of the meeting would determine a way forward.
Sigcawu said if it were up to them they would meet the president at least three times a year to iron out any problems arising.
The kings are planning a prayer meeting to pray for Dalindyebo’s release, and invitations will be extended to South African and African kings who oppose the imprisonment.
Dalindyebo is serving 12 years at the West Bank maximum security prison in East London for kidnapping, assault, arson and defeating the ends of justice.
Zuma has previously said he was still waiting for Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha’s recommendation on possibly releasing Dalindyebo.
The Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA and the AbaThembu are leading the charge as calls mount for Zuma to grant the king a presidential pardon.
Western Mpondoland spokesman Prince Mlamli Ndamase was tasked with writing to Luthuli House. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za
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