By Celani Sikhakhane
- The crowning of Solomon Ogbonna Eziko in East London caused deep anger and led to the burning of foreign shops.
- Nelson Mandela Bay women marched on Wednesday to demand the removal of the man they accuse of disrespecting South Africa.
The crowning of a Nigerian man as an “Igbo king” in East London has caused anger in the Eastern Cape.
Last week, the event led to violence. People burned cars and shops belonging to foreign nationals.
Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has asked church leaders to help fight against the crowning of Solomon Ogbonna Eziko at KuGompo.
“We cannot be only fed with the spiritual words. The religious leaders need to join the fight and act in our support to remove this Nigerian king,” he said.
King Dalindyebo said a person from another country cannot make himself a king in South Africa.
On Wednesday, women in Nelson Mandela Bay marched to demand the man be removed.
They said he showed no respect for the country and its traditional leaders.
The Nigerian Embassy in Pretoria has apologised for the event.
The embassy said it does not support the self-proclaimed king. Local authorities confirmed the title has no legal standing.
The Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders strongly criticised the crowning.
They called it a “kindergarten gimmick” and an insult to the country. Provincial authorities distanced themselves from the event.
Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance MEC Zolile Williams said the event breaks South African laws regarding traditional leaders.
Pictured above: Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has called on religious leaders to join a fight to remove the Nigerian king.
Image source: EFF
