Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane opened a crimen injuria case against AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo at the Bhisho police station yesterday after he was accused of being involved in extortion incidents, reports News24.

The allegations stem from a public address Dalindyebo gave at Laphumikhwezi Primary in Mthatha on 20 August, where he accused Eastern Cape politicians of being involved in extortion in the town.

He also accused late controversial Mthatha West traditional leader Nkosi Sakhumzi Mareke of being an extortion kingpin.

Laphumikhwezi was forced to shut its doors from 13 to 20 August after alleged extortionists stormed the school premises and assaulted the principal.

The group's actions were commended in a WhatsApp voice note from Mareke, who demanded a share of the profit the school was making from the rental of a cellphone tower by a service provider.

The school was reopened after intervention from Dalindyebo.

Mareke and two of his guards died in a hail of bullets during a shootout with police at the National Intervention Unit base in Mthatha last Wednesday.

Dalindyebo then accused Mareke of working in cahoots with politicians and specifically mentioned Mabuyane. 

But Mabuyane has denied any involvement.

In response, Dalindyebo's spokesperson, Princess Ntando Dalindyebo, said: ‘We have not been notified of any case opened against the king except seeing it through online media reports. It is ironic that the Premier chose to open the case after Mareke has died.’

The Eastern Cape Office of the Premier said in a statement that Dalindyebo's allegations were serious and needed to be investigated.

‘The Premier has requested the law enforcement agencies to conduct a comprehensive probe into these claims and gather all necessary evidence,’ spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie said.

Full News24 report