South African Communist Party

Eastern Cape, 31 December 2015

Press statement:

“Leaders must serve and protect the people”

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Eastern Cape notes and welcomes the incarceration of the Thembu King, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo. Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo is incarcerated after he was found guilty and convicted on numerous charges of gross violation of the rights of the vulnerable people he is supposed to lead, serve and protect.

We view this as a triumph of justice for the poor and the vulnerable when up against the brutalities of the mighty and powerful. It is also an important development that entrenches the principle of equality before the law as enshrined in the constitution of our country. In the principles and values espoused in our constitution there is no exception regardless of power and influence.

The imprisonment of King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo will be a reminder to all leaders that their responsibility is to serve and protect the people not to reign tyranny upon them. It should also serve as the reminder to all of us to keep our leaders accountable and of greater service to the people.

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. We are of the firm view that none of us are born as subjects of anybody; therefore the dangers of regarding people as mere subjects is that you will treat them with gross disrespect and abuse them.

We are calling upon the Thembu nation and the people in general to be vigilant against being used by tribalists who seek to use this to divide not only the movement but the country. 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 Thembu nation and the people in general should give their full support to the victims of the crimes of the King to restore their dignity and their rights.

Statement issued by Siyabonga Mdodi, SACP Eastern Cape Provincial Spokesperson, 31 December 2015