King Dalindyebo says no to his son for throne

In a twist on the troubled path to appoint a new AbaThembu king, jailed King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo now says he does not want his brother or son to wear the crown.

The king was speaking through a spokesman, Prince Mthunzi Ngonyama, at the Grahamstown High Court where the battle along with curious crowds moved yesterday. Legal counsel yesterday landed verbal blows in court in the next round of a bruising royal boxing match which will continue there today.

The issue is who will ascend the abaThembu throne while the king serves his jail time.

Prince Mankunku Mthandeni Dalindyebo yesterday asked the Grahamstown High Court to interdict the planned coronation on Friday of his nephew and heir apparent, Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo.

In a dramatic on-again, off-again day, the court case hovered at the doors of the Grahamstown High Court yesterday while a judge who could hear it was being sourced.