NPA not fooled by 'bogus' document setting aside Dalindyebo conviction

30 December 2015 - 17:32 By Lizeka Tandwa
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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is investigating the origin of a "bogus" document which sets aside all convictions against AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.

The NPA's Luxolo Tyali said they received the document on Tuesday afternoon from Dalindyebo’s camp, signed by a King Stephen Khoza of the Nguni Royal Family.

"It was served to us yesterday. It says that the sentence and conviction and whatever action taken against the King is suspended indefinitely," Tyali told News24.

Tyali said the document came from a "United Kingdom of the Union of South Africa the commonwealth realms Republic of South Africa court".

"There is no such a court in the land," Tyali said.

He said they were investigating who was behind the document so that the culprit could be arrested. He said, while the investigation was underway, it was difficult to provide further details.

"The document is bogus and whoever wrote and signed this document committed a crime," Tyali said.

This comes after Dalindyebo's petition to have his case reopened was dismissed by Justice Minister Michael Masutha on Tuesday afternoon. 

On December 23, Dalindyebo received a reprieve when the Eastern Cape High Court in Mthatha granted him a bail extension until December 30. On the same day, he sent an urgent appeal to Masutha.

According to his lawyer, Yasmin Omar, the petition to Masutha was to have the king's trial reopened in terms of the Section 327 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

This was dismissed.

Dalindyebo was sentenced to 12 years in jail for various crimes related to the treatment of some of his subjects.

His lawyers are presently at the Mthatha High Court in the hopes of getting his bail extended.

Tyali said the police had already obtained an arrest warrant should Dalindyebo not report to the Mthatha Correctional Centre by the end of Wednesday.

Source: News24

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