THE AbaThembu kingship succession is still far from being finalised as ameeting of AmaDlomo – the AbaThembu ruling royal clan – again deadlocked on choosing an acting king.
It had been thought that the heated meeting at Bumbane Great Place near Mthatha on Saturday would finally lead to a decision on the acting king.
The candidates for the throne in an acting capacity are jailed King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s son, Prince Azenathi, and Buyelekhaya’s younger brother, Prince Mthandeni Mankunku Dalindyebo.
Each side pushed a name and put up a strong argument, but in the end the five-hour meeting deadlocked. It was decided that the matter be referred to the national government for a commission to resolve it.
Afterwards, Daludumo Mtirara, Thandisizwe Mtirara and Chief Mfundo Mtirara confirmed the lack of a decision. “We are going to approach the premier to refer the matter to the national Commission on Traditional Leaders Disputes and Claims,” Mfundo said. Daludumo said: “The matter has long been delayed and we need to speed it up so that there can be harmony and tranquillity.”
They said the Matanzima house, which was one of the most important structures on resolving royal succession matters, would also be invited to give input.
Chief Mandla Mandela, who attended the meeting with his wife, Nodiyala, and his mother, Nolusapho, said the Mandela royal family backed Mthandeni for acting king.
Azenathi was not at the meeting, but his uncle and competitor was. The meeting was also attended by a national Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs senior manager, Abram Sithele, as an observer.
Daludumo and Mfundo said later the AmaDlomo had not sanctioned those planning to march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria tomorrow to urge President Jacob Zuma to pardon and release Dalindyebo.
“We have not been consulted about such a march and have not granted permission to the members to continue with such action,” they said.
“We appeal to the leaders of the groups who intend to march to the Union Buildings or to the office or home of the president to suspend such intentions until further notice.”
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