Love or hate him, Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo continues to dispel the short-sighted notion that seeks to undermine the role and authority of traditional leaders in a constitutional democracy.

As controversial as the king is, his people respect his authority and often turn to him when confronted with challenges.

King Dalindyebo too does not shy away from tackling matters many may consider too big for him.

For example, he was the first to call out self-proclaimed chief “Daluxolo” Mareke, whom police wanted for crimes including extortion of individuals, businesses and schools in the Mthatha area, Eastern Cape.

The Abathembu king was quick to denounce Mareke, rubbishing his claims that he was affiliated with the Abathembu royal house.

In fact, the king was unequivocal that Mareke was nothing but a thug who covers his crimes by claiming to be a chief.

At the time when traditional leaders were not spared from being targeted, the Abathembu king did this at the great risk of falling victim of a crime.

That possibility could not be easily dismissed as we now know that Mareke and two of his accomplices were killed in a shoot-out with police last week.

If Mareke was so brazen, as police claim he accosted officers before opening fire on them, then what makes the Abathembu king not vulnerable, especially when some traditional leaders are barely provided with any form of security?

The war on crime will not be won by who shoots who first between the police and criminals.

Neither will it be won by only jailing criminals without measures to ensure their rehabilitation.

As the adage goes, it takes the whole of society to raise a child. Traditional leaders like king Dalindyebo understand this very well.

It’s people like him who we should often turn to for guidance, especially in communities they are respected.

Undermining their authority only reinforces the breakdown in our social fabric.

To the Abathembu king we say: Aaaah Zwelibanzi!

Cape Times