By Anita Dangazele
The EFF in the Eastern Cape is standing by Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo in his fight with Premier Oscar Mabuyane.
Mabuyane filed a case of crimen injuria (a legal term for harming someone’s dignity) against the King after the King accused him of benefiting from extortion.
At a public meeting about school extortion in the Mthatha West area, King Dalindyebo said: ‘Oscar Mabuyane, I can prove it in any court, is a beneficiary to [Sakhumzi Dalinzolo] Mareke’s stupid actions [alleged extortion]. He must prove me wrong if I’m falsely accusing him.’
Mareke, who claimed to be the chief of Mthatha West, was killed in a shootout with the police last Wednesday evening.
EFF provincial leader Zilindile Vena criticised Mabuyane for filing the case, saying it was a waste of state resources and an abuse of power.
‘Mabuyane missed the message the King was trying to send and instead made it personal,’ Vena said.
He added that the case distracts from the bigger issue of crime in the province.
He said the King has actively engaged with communities to tackle extortion, especially in the public transport sector.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed that Mabuyane filed the case at Bhisho police station.
The MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, also filed a crimen injuria case, but his case is against the owner of a Facebook page that made similar accusations, not King Dalindyebo.
Princess Ntando Dalindyebo, the King’s spokesperson, said the police had not yet contacted her father, but he was ready to defend himself.
‘The King stands by what he said and has evidence to back it up. We will keep fighting against extortion,’ she said.
Pictured above: Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.
Source: Facebook
