South African king starts 12 year jail term

JOHANNESBURG

A South African king who is also the nephew of late President Nelson Mandela began serving a 12-year jail term for kidnapping, arson and assault.

King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, who leads the AbaThembu ethnic group, handed himself into authorities late Wednesday following legal bids to avoid prison.

“We confirm that King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo handed himself to the head of Mthatha Correctional Centre at 23.40 p.m.,” Justice Department spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said in a statement.

Dalindyebo’s crimes date from around two decades ago when he ordered the kidnapping a woman and her six children, setting their home on fire and beating up four youths when one of their relatives had failed to appear before a traditional court. One of the youths died.

In October, the Supreme Court of Appeal sentenced the monarch to 12 years. Dalindyebo had tried several avenues in a bid to stay out of jail including approaches to the constitutional court and Justice Minister Michael Masutha.

Dalindyebo ascended to the throne in 1989 and has around 700,000 subjects. He is the first monarch to be jailed in post-apartheid South Africa. His 23-year-old son Prince Avenathi Dalindyebo is likely to replace him.

South Africa has 10 officially recognized kingdoms representing different ethnic groups whose leaders play largely ceremonial roles and settle minor disagreements.

Dalindyebo was a member of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress until he defected from the party in 2003 to join the Democratic Alliance, the country’s main opposition party.

He has criticized President Jacob Zuma, frequently accusing him of corruption. He once proposed the kingdom leave South Africa.