President Jacob Zuma’s office,issued Thembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo a letter  this past weekend, stating that the he has 30 days to justify why he should remain King. The letter follows calls from concerned family members of the AbaThembu Royal Family under the leadership of Nkosi Thanduxolo Mtirara for the King to be dethroned which is constitutionally legitimate.

The President’s task is to simply confirm the decision and ensure that the right process is followed. Whether the President is familiar with the process that he has to ensure was properly followed remains to be seen. 

King Dalindyebo – who openly confessed to regularly smoking marijuana last year – is facing legal action for a number of crimes, including sexual charges. Last year in July, the outspoken king joined the DA in a very surprising political move. The ANC – from which he had defected – claimed it was his democratic right to do so.

Mandla Mandela, who is a close acquaintance of Zuma’s, has also been very vocal about King Dalindyebo’s public misdemeanours. Mandela is part of the AbaThembu Royal Council group that wants the President to remove King Dalindyebo. According to sources who are close to the King, he will issue a public response to the letter tomorrow. On Sunday, the Royal House will have a meeting at the king’s  residence, to discuss what steps should be taken to address the letter and the division inside the Abathembu Royal Council.

Is the call by the President just a cheap shot by the ANC because King Dalindyebo chose the DA over them last year? How much can politics be involved in traditional affairs? Was the decision by the Abathembu Royal Council to take a matter like this to the President even necessary? Should they have either discussed the issues they have with the King among the Royal Council?

How the Abathembu King responds to the letter is an interesting prospect. Furthermore, it may set a clear policy precedent on how the state interacts with traditional affairs.

Source: Daily Dispatch.

Images : Citizen & Daily Dispatch.

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