By Celani Sikhakhane
- King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo announced on Monday that he removed Inkosi Mandla Mandela as Chief of Mvezo over his pro-Palestinian stance.
- Inkosi Mandla Mandela told Scrolla.Africa on Tuesday that the king never informed him about the removal and declined to comment.
Inkosi Mandla Mandela, the grandson of the late Dr Nelson Mandela and traditional leader of Mvezo, says Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo never told him he had been removed as Chief.
Mandela told Scrolla.Africa on Tuesday that he only found out about his removal through the media.
“The King has not said anything to me. I only read from the media that I am removed from being the Chief of Mvezo. But kindly call him or his office because I have no further comments,” Mandela said.
On Monday, King Dalindyebo announced he was removing Mandela as Chief of Mvezo. The king accused Mandela of defying royal protocols and was strongly against his pro-Palestinian stance.
The king supports Israel and has visited the country. He has vowed to fight Hamas. He said Mandela should go and be the Chief of Palestine because he has forgotten he is the Chief of Mvezo under the Abathembu nation.
This is not the first time the king has tried to remove Mandela. In 2013, a similar attempt was made over a dispute about the reburial of Nelson Mandela’s children. Mandela called the king “delusional” at the time.
Reports say the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) may challenge the removal. Contralesa has noted that removing a chief requires specific customary processes and cannot be done at the king’s whim.
King Dalindyebo has also reportedly told his subjects to vote for the African Transformation Movement (ATM) in upcoming elections, criticising the ANC and EFF.
The king says he has the right to remove a chief he once appointed. Mandela is expected to defend his position based on customary law.
Pictured above: Inkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela.
Image source: Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela/Facebook
