Cape Town - AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo burnt documents containing the minutes of a meeting which debated who his successor should be, shortly before his incarceration, a meeting of the abaThembu royal family heard.
AbaThembu traditional leaders gathered at Bumbane Great Place near Mthatha yesterday to discuss who should serve in Dalindyebo’s place while he is in prison. The meeting was attended by Chief Mandla Zwelivelile Mandela on behalf of the Mandela house.
Chief Mankunku Jongisizwe Dalindyebo, who is Buyelekhaya’s younger brother, as well as Azenathi Zanesizwe Dalindyebo, the king’s son, were deemed the only “legitimate” people to act in the king’s absence.
In December, Dalindyebo started serving a 12-year sentence for assault, arson, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice following his conviction in 2009 for crimes committed in 1995 and 1996.
It was unclear yesterday why Dalindyebo had burnt the minutes of the meeting.
Chief Mfundo Bhovulengwe Mtirara refused to comment
.
An insider told Independent Media the minutes which were burnt by the king contained the names of Azenathi and Mankunku as his possible replacements.
Some of the abaThembu said Azenathi could not be allowed to succeed his father because he was born out of wedlock.
But others said Azenathi was a “legitimate successor” because the king had paid lobola to Azenathi’s mother Nokholeji Dalindyebo (nee Buyiswa Majiki).
Mandela said the Mandela house supported Mankunku because Azenathi should be allowed to continue with his studies at the University of Free State.
At a media briefing after the meeting, Bhovulengwe said Mankunku’s and Azenathi’s names would be submitted to the national department of Traditional Affairs. The department needs to appoint a special committee to deal with legalities and customs surrounding the two names, the meeting agreed.
Bhovulengwe said they would be happy if the committee would complete its work in 30 days, to find a legitimate successor for the jailed king.
Weekend Argus