The Eastern Cape Local Government and Traditional Affairs Department has removed Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo off their payroll.
King Dalindyebo is currently serving a 12 year prison sentence after he was sentenced in December last year for crimes he committed more than 20 years ago.
Department spokesperson Mamnkeli Ngam, told ALGOA FM NEWS that Dalindyebo's salary was discontinued with effect from last month.
Ngam said the decision was approved by his department and that the salary paid to him in February will be recovered.
"He was paid for the month of February. We will recover all the money allocated to him. We took this decision based on the laws of the country, in particular the Public Finance Management Act, because remember, the King is not rendering any services to his community, therefore he cannot be paid" he said.
Dalindyebo was paid R1 137 922 a year, or R94 826 a month.
