King hires Winnie’s attorney
Dalindyebo takes on top Mthatha lawyer to represent him at hearings
JAILED AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has hired Winnie MadikizelaMandela’s lawyer to help him fight attempts to remove him from the throne.
Mthatha lawyer Mvuzo Notyesi has also been instructed to represent Dalindyebo at the series of hearings that were meant to elect an acting king while he serves out his jail term. The hearings were organised by the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims following requests from the royal family.
Candidates for the position include the king’s brother, Prince Mthandeni Mankunku Dalindyebo and the king’s son, Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo.
Notyesi is the lawyer representing Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in her fight for former President Nelson Mandela’s Qunu home.
Approached for comment on the Dalindeyebo matter, Notyesi said he was in the process of writing letters to the commission.
“The king feels strongly that the commission should not convene on this matter, and if it continues to do that it will be acting illegally,” he said.
“The king is still a king and he has not been removed culturally by his royal family.
“The king says it would be illegal for the commission to continue with the hearing knowing that the king has replied to President Jacob Zuma as to why his certificate of kingship recognition could not be withdrawn,” said Notyesi.
Earlier this year two royal family factions deadlocked on electing an acting king.
The groups resolved to appeal to the commission for assistance.
The hearings were to be held from today until Thursday but the parties were informed on Saturday that they had been postponed after a letter was submitted by the faction supporting Azenathi.
Notyesi said that despite the postponement he would still write to the commission about the king’s view on the hearings.
Dalindyebo’s spokesmen Mthunzi Ngonyama and Phandulwazi Mhlontlo confirmed he had hired Notyesi.
Royal family spokesman Mfundo Mtirara said they had written to the commission asking for clarity on certain issues.
“We are happy with the postponement. It means that when the hearing is convened the commission will have addressed all the concerns that we raised.
“We all want the commission, but there were certain clarities that it must deal with,” said Mfundo, adding that they were looking forward to having an acting king in either Azenathi or Mthandeni.
Commission chairman Bagudi Tolo confirmed the indefinite postponement. “We decided to postpone it for internal reasons.
“We are still looking forward to the hearing and assisting AbaThembu. This week we have our meeting as the commission and we will then decide when we will have the public hearings.”
Another royal family spokesman, Daludumo Mtirara speaking for the Mthandeni faction, said they had learnt of the postponement only on Saturday.
“It should be clear that the delay was not on the side that wants [Mthandeni] to act.
“We are ready to continue with the hearing.
“The last minute postponement had inconvenienced many people.
“Some travelled from other provinces to Mthatha only to be informed of the postponements.”