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Controversial King of the Abathembu, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, is now officially a member of the Democratic Alliance.
He completed his membership application with DA Eastern Cape leader, Atholl Trollip, at his Great Place, Bumbane near Mthatha, on Monday.
"The King broke the traditional mould that traditional leaders historically side with the government of the day because they have a symbiotic relationship and that the government pays their stipends. He smashed that mould today to say that it doesn't matter who is in government, if they don't serve your interest and don't deliver services then you must vote for another government." aid Trollip.
"I think that is good for democracy and good for the Democratic Alliance," he added.
Trollip told Algoa FM News that prior to signing up the king several issues needed to be clarified.
These related to the King's initiall support of the Traditional Courts Bill which the DA opposes but which the King now agrees should be amended, the criminal charges against him that remain unresolved and his public admission to smoking dagga.
"I'm sure that of the 3m people who voted for the DA in the last election and the millions who voted for the ANC in the last election that King Dalinyebo is not the only one who participates in using banned substances," said Trollip.
"We need to just be a lot more circumspect about placing everybody under the same microscope and not having selective standards. Yesterday, when he was an ANC member there was not problem with his charges against him nor the fact that smoked dagga. But, now that he wants to be a DA member its a problem. So, I think its a bit hypocritical," Trollip added.
