AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has publicly ordered his subjects to vote for the African Transformation Movement (ATM) in the upcoming local elections, while criticising both the ANC and EFF.

In a speech, the controversial traditional leader, who was once a supporter of the EFF, called its party leader Julius Malema a “sleepwalker”. He also condemned and rejected the ANC leadership in his territory.

His remarks, which have sparked widespread debate, came during a community engagement session at his residence in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, at the weekend.

“We do not want ANC leaders. We do not want even one of their leaders here. We do not even want their demarcation,” he said, signaling a significant shift in allegiance away from the ruling party.

His latest attack on Malema is despite the EFF having gifted the him a brand new Mercedes-Benz on 13 November 2021.

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The reigning monarch’s thoughts on the EFF leader were dismissive, as he referred to the party’s leader, Julius Malema, as a “sleepwalker” who is oblivious to the political realities around him.

“I tried to assist Julius Malema and his EFF cult to secure the votes of my subjects. Unfortunately, I discovered that Julius is sleepwalking,” he said. The statement not only criticises Malema’s leadership but also highlights the growing frustrations within the AbaThembu community regarding the performance of both political parties.

The king recently received criticism from the ANC leadership in the province after he hosted an Israeli delegation, which led to the South African government sending Ariel Seidman, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Israeli embassy, packing over two weeks ago.

The ANC in the province subsequently condemned the actions of both Israeli officials and the king, with party leadership saying the Israeli delegation’s visit was not authorised by the country’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

Dalindyebo responded to this by telling a national news broadcaster that the national and provincial government had no authority over him and his people. The king went as far as saying that he will never ask for permission from the elected political principals to host whoever wants to visit his AbaThembu nation.

Attempts to get a comment from the EFF both nationally and in the province were unsuccessful at the time of publication. 

ANC provincial spokesperson, Gift Ngqondi who was at the funeral of Bishop Dr John Bolana, could not be reached for comment after promising to respond.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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