Presidency requests postponement of King Dalindyebo case

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Pretoria - The Presidency has requested the postponement of the matter between King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of the Abathembu dynasty and President Jacob Zuma.  

King Dalindyebo approached the Mthatha High Court in a bid to interdict President Zuma from removing him as a king.

Acting Judge Justin Laing at the Mthatha High Court issued directives granting King Dalindyebo a hearing date of 5 September.

In a statement released on Monday, the Presidency said the State Attorney had written to King Dalindyebo's attorneys requesting the postponement of the matter when it comes before court on 5 September 2014 because it was not possible for government to complete certain internal processes before the answering affidavits could be filed.

“In the urgent application between King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of the Abathembu against President Jacob Zuma and others, the government respondents were supposed to file their answering affidavits on or before 29 August 2014.

“In the meantime, the President undertook not to act on the request for the withdrawal of the certificate of recognition of the King,” said the Presidency.

In July, President Zuma wrote to King Dalindyebo asking him to make representations about why his recognition certificate as king should not be withdrawn.

President Zuma's spokesperson Mac Maharaj said this was in line with the request from the Abathembu royal family.

They wrote to President Zuma on 1 October 2012 and 4 February 2013 asking him to implement their decision, taken on 29 September 2012, to remove Dalindyebo as king. - SAnews.gov.za