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Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has joined the MEC for Safety and Security Xolile Nqatha in pressing criminal charges against the AbaThembu King, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.
Mabuyane said this follows allegations of his alleged involvement in extortion activities in the Eastern Cape levelled against provincial officials by the King in a recent television interview.
King Dalinyebo alleged that top officials were complicit in the criminal activities.
Bhisho said the King's claims against Premier Mabuyane and others are serious.
Premier Mabuyane said he's requested law enforcement agencies to conduct a comprehensive probe into the matter
“I'm joining the case that has already been opened by the MEC because you'd remember when he [Dalindyebo] was saying all what he was saying he was just listing us.,” the premier said.
“We [government] are actually the people who are leading this campaign to deal this [extortion] problem, so for someone just to do that, we take it as a diversion – it's an attempt to distract us not to focus on the real issues.”
This comes after an alleged extortionist was shot dead by police in Mthatha last week.
Sakhumzi Mareke, 42, was one of three armed suspects who were killed in the dramatic shooting incident in which a police officer was also wounded.
The self-proclaimed traditional leader appeared in a television news interview recently denying the claims against him.
In a statement on Wednesday last week, provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said the shooting occurred when the officers were returning to their base after a disruptive operation in Mthatha West.
“On their way, they noticed that they were being followed by two vehicles, a Nissan Qashqai and a Toyota Fortuner.
“As members arrived at the premises, the two suspicious vehicles stopped behind them, and the three men armed with firearms alighted and immediately opened fire.
“Police retaliated fatally wounding the three men," Mawisa said.
