The Eastern Cape government has “temporarily withdrawn” assets issued to AbaThembu king Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.The provincial department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs this week took possession of the king’s R627000 white Jeep Cherokee, issued to him last April. The petrol card has also been taken, while the process of freezing Dalindyebo’s salary is underway. He earns just over R1-million a year.
Family spokesman Phandulwazi Tyhopo said they had agreed the department should take the car. He would not comment on the freezing of the king’s salary.
Nwaila said because Dalindyebo was being incarcerated for more than 12 months without the option of a fine, “technically and by law he is no longer a king, but the government cannot pronounce on that before due processes are done by the royal family.
“We are yet to receive communication from the royal family to remove the king.
“So, the government cannot yet pronounce on the de-recognition of the king without having received a family resolution.
“The government does not identify or remove kings, only the royal family does that.”
Nwaila said although succession processes should be followed by the abaThembu nation, or amaDlomo, they should be guided by the Constitution.
“It was a sad day in South African history to incarcerate a sitting king. Sad as it may be to all of us, it proves that it’s a lesson that we should grow and learn from it as South Africans.”
He raised the concern that the kingdom had been operating in a vacuum since December 30.
The succession is still a hot potato as the royal family remains divided over who should take over the reins.
Some want Dalindyebo’s eldest son Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo to be appointed acting king.
But the name of Dalindyebo’s younger brother, Prince Mthandeki Mankunku Dalindyebo, has also been considered.
Now jailed king loses his government car
The provincial department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs this week took possession of the king’s R627000 white Jeep Cherokee, issued to him last April. The petrol card has also been taken, while the process of freezing Dalindyebo’s salary is underway. He earns just over R1-million a year.
Family spokesman Phandulwazi Tyhopo said they had agreed the department should take the car. He would not comment on the freezing of the king’s salary.
Nwaila said because Dalindyebo was being incarcerated for more than 12 months without the option of a fine, “technically and by law he is no longer a king, but the government cannot pronounce on that before due processes are done by the royal family.
“We are yet to receive communication from the royal family to remove the king.
“So, the government cannot yet pronounce on the de-recognition of the king without having received a family resolution.
“The government does not identify or remove kings, only the royal family does that.”
Nwaila said although succession processes should be followed by the abaThembu nation, or amaDlomo, they should be guided by the Constitution.
“It was a sad day in South African history to incarcerate a sitting king. Sad as it may be to all of us, it proves that it’s a lesson that we should grow and learn from it as South Africans.”
He raised the concern that the kingdom had been operating in a vacuum since December 30.
The succession is still a hot potato as the royal family remains divided over who should take over the reins.
Some want Dalindyebo’s eldest son Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo to be appointed acting king.
But the name of Dalindyebo’s younger brother, Prince Mthandeki Mankunku Dalindyebo, has also been considered.
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