Dalindyebo fires Qweqwe chief, appoints spokesperson
Controversial Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo is involved in another spat, this time with one of his trusted lieutenants, Mfundiso Mabalengwe Mtirara.
Mtirara, the twin brother of Dalindyebo’s former spokesperson Mfundo Bhovulengwe Mtirara, heads the Matyengqina traditional council, which includes the Qweqwe administrative headmanship. This has become the subject of a war of words between Dalindyebo and the Mtirara twins and their families.
Qweqwe is a headmanship under Matyengqina. It used to be ruled by Zwelidumile Mtyundyutho, who died in November 2020. His son Lutho Mtyundyutho was elected to succeed him.
In a bizarre twist of events, the outspoken monarch now wants Mfundiso to step down as chief of Matyengqina.
Dalindyebo wrote to Mtirara on February 8, informing him that he had suspended him as head of Matyengqina traditional council.
The king said Qweqwe’s traditional leadership actually belonged to his current spokesperson, Babalo Papu.
“I ask you step aside from all your responsibilities in the traditional leadership of Matyengqina and Qweqwe,” Dalindyebo states in the letter.
“The Qweqwe traditional leadership is not the inheritance of the Mtyundyutho family. The person overseeing Qweqwe, as per the directive of the kingship and who is also the reigning traditional leader of Qweqwe, is Nkosi Zanodumo Babalo Papu.”
However, Mtirara has not taken this lying down and has issued a hard-hitting response, accusing the king of abusing his power and authority by poking his nose into the affairs of other royal families.
In a three-page response, which the Dispatch has seen, Mtirara warned Dalindyebo to stop trying to create feuds, instability and animosity within other royal houses and called on him to focus instead on championing unity, peace and stability.
“Let me remind your majesty, the role to appoint a headman in terms of the Traditional Leadership Governance Framework Act and customary law is the responsibility of the royal family or ruling house under a particular traditional council.”
Mtirara said Lutho Mtyundyutho was the headman-elect of Qweqwe, lawfully and duly nominated by the Mtyundyutho royal family.
He also dismissed Dalindyebo’s assertion that Papu was the new Qweqwe chief.
Mtirara reminded Dalindyebo that his interference in the affairs of other royal families in the past had led to tension and division.
Mtirara confirmed to the Dispatch that he had been instructed by the king to step down and that Papu be made headman of Qweqwe. He said there was no tension between him and Dalindyebo, who is his uncle. Papu confirmed that the king had deployed him as the new chief of Qweqwe.