The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Eastern Cape on Thursday welcomed the incarceration of AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.

“Dalindyebo is incarcerated after he was found guilty… on numerous charges of gross violation of the rights of the vulnerable people he is supposed to lead, serve and protect,” SACP provincial spokesperson Siyabonga Mdodi said in a statement.

“We view this as a triumph of justice for the poor and the vulnerable when up against the brutalities of the mighty and powerful.”

The party said that the king’s arrest would be a reminder to all leaders that their responsibility was to serve and protect the people, not to reign tyranny upon them.

“Any leader, with no exception of the Kings, should serve the people and protect them at any given time. That should be done with the understanding that there is no one who is above the law, even those born as leaders.

“Let us unite against the rise of tribalism, as it is a threat to the unity of our country and that of our movement whose foundation was to unite the people irrespective of tribes.

“People should also remember that this is the same King who tried to establish a state within South Africa in an attempt to escape the consequences of his crimes,” the party said.

Dalindyebo is serving a 12-year sentence for various crimes committed against some of his subjects in 1995 and 1996. News24