AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s petition to have his case reopened has been dismissed by Justice Minister Michael Masutha.

Masutha made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

On December 23, Dalindyebo received a reprieve when the Eastern Cape High Court in Mthatha granted him a bail extension until December 30.

On the same day, he had sent an urgent appeal to Masutha.

According to his lawyer, Yasmin Omar, the petition to Masutha was to direct that the king’s trial be reopened in terms of the Section 327 of the criminal procedure act.

According to a family member, Dalindyebo and his lawyers met with Masutha sometime this week to discuss his application.

Dalindyebo was sentenced to 12 years in jail for various crimes related to the treatment of some of his subjects. News24