/ 4 January 2014

Royal family slams AbaThembu king for claims of heir

AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo claims he has identified and heir.
AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo claims he has identified and heir.

King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo's claim to have identified an heir is misleading, the AbaThembu royal family said on Friday.

"That tactic is not new and the royal family is ready to face such types of tactics," spokesman Daludumo Mtirara said in a statement.

"We would like him to face the rule of law and accept that his royal family has withdrawn the traditional spear from him a year ago," he said.

Dalindyebo should also accept that the government would implement the resolution of the royal family for the withdrawal of the certification of recognition, said Mtirara.

He was reacting to an article in the Daily Dispatch newspaper on Friday.

"To us, the identification of the heir is not new. King Jonguhlanga Dalindyebo identified Queen NoCanada Dalindyebo as a rightful wife to give birth to heir, and the royal family, guided by the custom, did not accept his choice and approved Queen NoMoscow Dalindyebo."

Mtirara said the royal family had not opened a discussion on the identification of the next heir because the kingdom was unstable and not ready for such discussions.

"The kingdom collapsed a few years ago and it's only utilised to advance personal interest for Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo," he said.

"The royal residence is quiet like a farmhouse during holidays. There are no activities and it is completely dysfunctional." –Sapa