PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has given AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo 30 days to convince him why he should not vacate his throne.
The dramatic development follows submissions to Zuma from concerned members of the AbaThembu Royal Family that the king be removed.
National department of traditional affairs direct-general Dr Charles Nwaila delivered the missive from the president to the king yesterday.
Accompanied by three senior managers, Nwaile travelled from Pretoria to the king’s Nkululekweni home in Mthatha to hand over the letter.
But the king was not present, delegating his AbaThembu Royal Council chairman, the Reverend Siphiwo Tafa and council secretary Bransby Bulo to receive the correspondence on his behalf.
The letter, headed “Withdrawal as King of the AbaThembu Kingship” was written and signed by Zuma on July 23. “Kindly provide me with written representation, within 30 days of the receipt of this letter, on why I should not withdraw a certificate recognizing you as a king of the AbaThembu,” wrote Zuma in the two-page letter.
He attached 13 pages of submissions from the concerned group of AbaThembu royal family members, led by Nkosi Thanduxolo Mtirara, and the minutes of the group’s meeting on September 29 2012, at which the decision was taken to dethrone Dalinyebo and request that Zuma implement the decision. The concerned group wrote to Zuma on October 1 2012, and again on February 4 last year.
“The group of the AbaThembu royal family led by Nkosi Thanduxolo Mtirara requested me in my capacity as the president of the Republic of South Africa to implement their decision taken on 29 September 2012, to remove you as the king of AbaThembu,” wrote Zuma.
Nwaila said the king had delegated senior people to receive the correspondence on his behalf.
Under South African legislation, the functions of kings and queens are the responsibility of the president.
According to the Traditional Leadership Framework Act, a royal family identifies a king or queen for appointment or propose the removal of an incumbent.
The president’s role is to confirm their decision if the head of state is satisfied with the process that has been followed.
Traditional leaders could be removed if they are convicted of a crime and sentenced to a prison term of 12 months without the option of a fine.
“This is a sensitive and complex matter.
“It affects not only the king but the nation of AbaThembu,” said Nwaila.
If Dalindyebo is removed, he would be the first reigning king to be dethroned since 1994.
His father, an ANC struggle stalwart King Sabata Dalindyebo, was dethroned by Transkei president KD Matanzima – his cousin – because of his political activities.
King Sabata went into exile in Zambia where he died in Lusaka in 1986.
However, there are stark differences between the circumstances which surrounded Sabata’s removal and those which face Dalindyebo.
Dalindyebo is at present appealing against his 15-year prison sentence for a number of violent crimes.
The 2012 meeting where a decision to remove him was taken, was attended by a committee comprising representatives of the royal family of the kingdom of AbaThembu drawn from 19 royal houses.
“The king has embarrassed the nation on many occasions,” said committee spokesman Nkosi Daludumo Mtirara.
“To us, since October 1 (2012) he has not been a king. This drastic action is a response to a series of embarrassing incidents by him that have seen the kingdom losing credibility,” he said.
They accused Dalindyebo of smoking dagga publicly and sexual interest in his female relatives.
“It would not be appropriate to continue as king while he still faces, among others, serious crimes, including investigations into sex crime.”
Mtirara, one of the authors of the dossier submitted to Zuma, expressed happiness at the government’s move.
“He has become an embarrassment and created instability in the kingdom for the past 20 years because of his unroyal behaviour.
“We did not ask but ordered the president to implement our decision and we are happy that he is doing so,” said Mtirara.
On behalf the king, Bulo said: “We are very disappointed at the action aimed at dethroning our king especially in a democratic South Africa.”
Bulo said that they would call a meeting and obtain legal advise.
Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said he was awaiting information from the presidency’s legal section before commenting.
Dalindyebo was an ANC member before joining the DA in July last year. Eastern Cape DA leader Athol Trollip said he was sent the letter by Dalindyebo who asked him to provide legal advice.
“The matter has been in abeyance for a long time. Now that the king is not paying allegiance to the ANC they want to act. But the matter is a traditional leadership issue and needs to be resolved by traditional leaders,” said Trollip.
Trollip said the party would provide legal advice. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Zuma in royal ouster
The dramatic development follows submissions to Zuma from concerned members of the AbaThembu Royal Family that the king be removed.
National department of traditional affairs direct-general Dr Charles Nwaila delivered the missive from the president to the king yesterday.
Accompanied by three senior managers, Nwaile travelled from Pretoria to the king’s Nkululekweni home in Mthatha to hand over the letter.
But the king was not present, delegating his AbaThembu Royal Council chairman, the Reverend Siphiwo Tafa and council secretary Bransby Bulo to receive the correspondence on his behalf.
The letter, headed “Withdrawal as King of the AbaThembu Kingship” was written and signed by Zuma on July 23. “Kindly provide me with written representation, within 30 days of the receipt of this letter, on why I should not withdraw a certificate recognizing you as a king of the AbaThembu,” wrote Zuma in the two-page letter.
He attached 13 pages of submissions from the concerned group of AbaThembu royal family members, led by Nkosi Thanduxolo Mtirara, and the minutes of the group’s meeting on September 29 2012, at which the decision was taken to dethrone Dalinyebo and request that Zuma implement the decision. The concerned group wrote to Zuma on October 1 2012, and again on February 4 last year.
“The group of the AbaThembu royal family led by Nkosi Thanduxolo Mtirara requested me in my capacity as the president of the Republic of South Africa to implement their decision taken on 29 September 2012, to remove you as the king of AbaThembu,” wrote Zuma.
Nwaila said the king had delegated senior people to receive the correspondence on his behalf.
Under South African legislation, the functions of kings and queens are the responsibility of the president.
According to the Traditional Leadership Framework Act, a royal family identifies a king or queen for appointment or propose the removal of an incumbent.
The president’s role is to confirm their decision if the head of state is satisfied with the process that has been followed.
Traditional leaders could be removed if they are convicted of a crime and sentenced to a prison term of 12 months without the option of a fine.
“This is a sensitive and complex matter.
“It affects not only the king but the nation of AbaThembu,” said Nwaila.
If Dalindyebo is removed, he would be the first reigning king to be dethroned since 1994.
His father, an ANC struggle stalwart King Sabata Dalindyebo, was dethroned by Transkei president KD Matanzima – his cousin – because of his political activities.
King Sabata went into exile in Zambia where he died in Lusaka in 1986.
However, there are stark differences between the circumstances which surrounded Sabata’s removal and those which face Dalindyebo.
Dalindyebo is at present appealing against his 15-year prison sentence for a number of violent crimes.
The 2012 meeting where a decision to remove him was taken, was attended by a committee comprising representatives of the royal family of the kingdom of AbaThembu drawn from 19 royal houses.
“The king has embarrassed the nation on many occasions,” said committee spokesman Nkosi Daludumo Mtirara.
“To us, since October 1 (2012) he has not been a king. This drastic action is a response to a series of embarrassing incidents by him that have seen the kingdom losing credibility,” he said.
They accused Dalindyebo of smoking dagga publicly and sexual interest in his female relatives.
“It would not be appropriate to continue as king while he still faces, among others, serious crimes, including investigations into sex crime.”
Mtirara, one of the authors of the dossier submitted to Zuma, expressed happiness at the government’s move.
“He has become an embarrassment and created instability in the kingdom for the past 20 years because of his unroyal behaviour.
“We did not ask but ordered the president to implement our decision and we are happy that he is doing so,” said Mtirara.
On behalf the king, Bulo said: “We are very disappointed at the action aimed at dethroning our king especially in a democratic South Africa.”
Bulo said that they would call a meeting and obtain legal advise.
Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said he was awaiting information from the presidency’s legal section before commenting.
Dalindyebo was an ANC member before joining the DA in July last year. Eastern Cape DA leader Athol Trollip said he was sent the letter by Dalindyebo who asked him to provide legal advice.
“The matter has been in abeyance for a long time. Now that the king is not paying allegiance to the ANC they want to act. But the matter is a traditional leadership issue and needs to be resolved by traditional leaders,” said Trollip.
Trollip said the party would provide legal advice. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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