The Abathembu Royal House in the Eastern Cape says self-proclaimed chief Daluxolo Mareke, who was killed in a shoot-out with police, repeatedly failed to provide minutes of the meeting that elected him as a Mthatha West chief.
Before his killing last week, Mareke had told journalists he was elevated to the position of chief by residents.
He was said to be at the centre of extortion-related crimes which gripped Mthatha, and at the time of his killing, police had identified him as a suspect.
The Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo had told a community meeting that the royal house never recognised Mareke.
In an interview with the Cape Times, AbaThembu senior royal adviser, advocate Matthew Mpahlwa, again moved to clarify that Mareke was never a traditional leader and/or a Chief of the Mthatha West Area as he purported to be.
“I have had the liberty of holding a meeting two months back with Mr Mareke at the request of the king (Dalindyebo) whereupon Mr Mareke had sought clarity on the formation and the establishment of those areas which he says he presided over as a chief.
“I took the liberty of giving him a brief history of the establishment of the areas and how the traditional leadership of those areas would come into force and be.
“In that meeting he had clearly asserted himself, he knows that he is of Basotho descent and his only claim to be a chief was by virtue of individuals who he said had appointed him to that position.
“I had then requested minutes and resolutions from that community which would serve as evidence of such an exercise.
“Until to date Mr Mareke failed to provide such,” said Mpahlwa.
He said Mareke also did not exist in the registry of traditional leadership and chiefs in the Eastern Cape.
Therefore, he did not hold a certificate of recognition.
“All other criminal elements have been dealt with, and will continue to be dealt with by law enforcement agencies.
“We call upon all other individuals masquerading as chiefs and/or traditional leaders in the area, enabling their criminal enterprise as extortionists to immediately desist from such criminal behaviour.
“The AbaThembu King will continue to provide direct oversight leadership in the Mthatha West Area.”
Mpahlwa described the Mthatha CBD as a “skeleton town”, due to protection fees being demanded from businesses and individuals, saying if it was not stopped, shops would shut their doors.
“It had its challenges but it was always a peaceful town.
“There was crime but there was convictions. With protection fees it has gone up but you can’t point to a case where there has been a conviction.
“When there are convictions, it acts as an element of deterrence,” he said.
One of the victims of extortion in the area, a 57-year-old blind resident of Efata complex said they were relieved that police were finally acting.
“We have been living in fear, so we were very relieved.
“The people were happy and celebrating,” said Mankuntywana.
Cape Times