Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has opened a case of a crimen injuria against AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebois after being accused of being part of an extortion ring.
On Tuesday, Mabuyane and Safety and Security MEC Xolile Nqatha laid a charge against the king at Bhisho police station.
The allegations stem from a public address the king made at Laphumikhwezi Primary in Mthatha on August 20, when he accused Eastern Cape politicians of being involved in extortion in the town.
The AbaThembu king further accused the controversial Mthatha West traditional leader, Nkosi Sakhumzi Dalinzolo Mareke, of being an extortion kingpin.
Mareke was killed during a shootout with the police last week, after Laphumikhwezi and other public and private businesses, including clinics, were forced to shut down their operations due to the surge in extortion incidents in the province and other parts of Mthatha.
During his address, the king accused the premier of being in cahoots with extortionists, adding that he had proof of that.
“These young boys (extortionists) are working for the premier. I am specifically singling out the Premier Oscar Mabuyane because I can prove that in court. He’s the beneficiary of Mareke’s stupid actions. If Oscar says I am accusing him, let him prove that in court,” the king said.
Speaking to the SABC News on Tuesday, Mabuyane said he had no other choice but to lay a charge against the king.
“I am joining the case that has been opened by the MEC (for Transport and Community Safety Xolile Nqatha). We have been forced to open a case against the king because he has been accusing me of things I know nothing about. We are not even remotely close to these things we are being accused of.
“Even the people I am being accused of associating with, I do not even know them. I am only hearing of their names now, after the fact. We have been fighting against extortionists and the abuse against people,” Mabuyane said.
He said that instead of a back-and-forth public spat with the king, he had decided to lay a charge.
“We have been fighting against these people that the king is accusing us of being part of. I have since decided to take the matter to the police instead of fighting with the king in public. To be accused of this is damaging to our names and reputations which is why we have decided on this course of action,” he said.