EC govt rejects Dalindyebo’s bid to dethrone traditional leaders

The Eastern Cape Traditional Affairs Department says Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo is not empowered to dethrone any traditional leaders without consultation with the Premier.

This follows public statements by Dalindyebo that he has removed Chief Mandla Mandela of Mvezo and two traditional leaders, Nkosi Vulisango Pantshwa and Nkosi Vulithuba Sangoni from the royal house of AmaQiya.

Chief Mandela recently criticised King Dalindyebo for meeting with the Israeli delegation.

Provincial Traditional Affairs Spokesperson Pheello Oliphant says the traditional leaders King Dalindyebo claims to have dethroned remain in their positions.

“The King does not have powers to dethrone or strip off traditional leaders single headedly the senior traditional leader the king claims to have dethroned remain traditional leaders or chief of their respective communities and continue discharging their responsibilities within the context and spirit of cooperative governance and also in the best interests of communities and in this context we hope that senior traditional leaders and his majesty will find one another.”