State to decide on acting king

Tension as two factions snub MEC’s meeting

THE feuding AbaThembu royal family will next week know who the state recognises for the role of acting king.

The announcement, coming more than a year after the incarceration of AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo in December 2015, was made yesterday at a general meeting of the Thembu nation called by cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) MEC Fikile Xasa at Bumbane Great Place near Mthatha.

Yesterday was the last of the government’s consultations with the royal family and Thembu people over the succession debate and appointment of an acting king.

The matter has divided the family, with one faction supporting King Dalindyebo’s son Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo while another supports Dalindyebo’s brother Prince Mthandeni Mankunku Dalindyebo. A third group supports Dalindyebo’s wife Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo.

“We are here to listen to abaThembu generally,” said Xasa. “We have heard the royal family, which has views on the matter. In fact, I am here to listen to what the abaThembu are saying about this matter as the subjects of the king.”

He said that kingships fell under the mandate of the president while acting kings and regents under the premier.

Xasa said the matter had dragged on for a long time and they needed to listen carefully to all the affected parties so that the premier could make an informed decision in line with the law and customary practices on how they should proceed.

However, the leaders of the Mankunku and Queen Nokwanda factions and their supporters boycotted yesterday’s meeting.

As a result, many speakers called on government to recognise Azenathi as the acting king and also called for his father’s immediate release.

In October 2016 the Tolo Commission ruled that the right person to take over as acting king was Mankunku, but Cogta Minister Des van Rooyen referred the matter to premier Phumulo Masualle for finalisation.

Both Mankunku and Azenathi were appointed acting kings by their respective factions that same month and Azenathi was crowned on November 25.

Neither of the two men have been recognised as acting king by the state yet.

Chief Thanduxolo Mtirara, chairman of the Mankunku faction of the royal family, accused Xasa of “creating confusion” among the abaThembu.

“We have decided not to attend the meeting after he did not give us an agenda and because he called the meeting at Bumbane although he knows that there is legal wrangle over the venue between Azenathi and his father,” he said.

Chief Zwelodumo Mtirara, speaking for the Azenathi faction, said that the meeting had gone well and they appreciated the government extending its consultation in the matter.

Both men said they had been anxiously awaiting the announcement by the premier.

However, Thanduxolo warned they would challenge the decision in court if it did not go their way. —