Police confirm Azenathi’s arrest

Acting AbaThembu king Azenathi Dalindyebo is due to appear in court on Monday to face an assault charge, but the royal claims he has not been arrested.

Police responded to a media enquiry by saying Dalindyebo was arrested on Thursday on a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Dalindyebo’s arrest follows allegations by Babalo Papu, who is King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s aide, that Azenathi and several others assaulted him on Tuesday night. Pictures of Papu, beaten and naked, were circulated on social media hours after the alleged attack.

Papu said he had opened cases against nine people, including Azenathi, his mother Queen Nocollege Dalindyebo and his uncle Siganeko Dalindyebo, at Madeira police station on Wednesday.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci yesterday confirmed the acting king’s arrest.

“Acting King [Azenathi] Zanelizwe Dalindyebo [29] was arrested yesterday [Thursday] and on warning to appear in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 8 June.”

However, speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Azenathi denied that he had been arrested.

“It is news to me that I was arrested,” he said.

Earlier this week his spokesperson, Nkosi Dumisani Mgudlwa, denied the acting king’s involvement in the alleged assault at Maiden Farm in Mthatha.

Soci said police received a complaint at about 3pm on Tuesday.

“Police were dispatched to the scene at Maiden Farm. Upon arrival, they found a visibly assaulted man and immediately removed the injured person from immediate danger and also ensured that his vehicle was removed from the premises.”

Soci said a case of assault to cause grievous bodily harm was opened for investigation. She would not elaborate further.

“It is not the policy of the SAPS to divulge the content/details of the statement provided by the complainant in any case, as it is not the policy of the SAPS to divulge the complainant of any case under investigation by the SAPS.”