King Dalindyebo’s Great Place deserted
ABATHEMBU King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s Bumbane Great Place, about 50km from Mthatha, was deserted yesterday.
The only sign of movement was a bakkie seen leaving with some goods on a trailer.
The Daily Dispatch has learnt that the king has moved his family and some of his staff to his house in Nkululekweni, a former ministerial complex, outside Mthatha.
In contrast Nkululekweni was a hive of activity, with many cars parked in the driveway and people seen coming and going.
Dalindyebo is expected to hand himself over to prison authorities today.
His spokesman Mfundo Mtirara confirmed that the king’s family, including Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo and their children, were moving to the Nkululekweni house.
“It’s because the king will not be here and there will be no income to run both houses. The children are at school in town and Nkululekweni is closer, so it will make things easier,” Mtirara said.
He said the move to Nkululekweni began at the weekend. Mtirara said Dalindyebo’s son Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo may opt to stay at the Great Place.
Yesterday, a group calling itself the Society for the Protection of Our Constitution said they had launched a written appeal to President Jacob Zuma and Justice Minister Michael Masutha asking for a retrial.
The organisation’s secretary Muhammed Vadwa claimed two court assessors were appointed to assist the judge during Dal original trial.
Vadwa said one of the assessors died during the trial and the judge never asked Dalindyebo if they should continue with just one assessor.
He further said Dalindyebo should not report to prison as court had been in recess since December 11.
He claimed this meant the 14day order for which he had to report to prison should only come into effect after January 15 when court returned from recess.
Justice spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said no appeal had yet been lodged. He said the society had misinterpreted the 14-day deadline and he did not expect the minister to interfere with Dalindyebo’s bail conditions.
“The only thing we know is that the king must hand himself in at Wellington prison [today].”