Setback for AbaThembu throne unity bid

The royal row over the AbaThembu throne appears to be far from over after a faction pulled out of unity talks.

The family has been divided over who should take over as acting king after King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo was jailed in December to start serving a 12-year sentence.

The king’s salary has been frozen and government vehicles withdrawn.

The faction of the royal family supporting the king’s son, Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo, is now withdrawing its participation in the independent commission assisting with identifying an acting king. The royal family has deadlocked on electing an acting king – one group wants Azenathi, the other the king’s brother Prince Mthandeni Mankunku Dalindyebo.

Still others are calling for Dalindyebo’s wife Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo to take over.

In February the groupings appealed for intervention from the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims. But a public hearing was postponed indefinitely after Azenathi’s group raised concerns.

“We wrote several letters to them (the commission). They never responded. We are now withdrawing our participation in the commission,” said Chief Thandisizwe Mtirara, who leads the Azenathi faction.

He said they were withdrawing because:

lOnly three of the four commissioners would hear the matter;

lThe hearing was only for royal family members and selected traditional leaders; and

lThe royal family houses were divided.

“We gave them 14 days to respond and that lapsed on Saturday,” said Thandisizwe.

Commission chairman Bagudi Tolo confirmed they had not responded to the letters.

“In fact, the commission needed a new mandate and terms of reference. We are not allowed to take new claims working on the old mandate and terms of reference.”