EC Premier Mabuyane opens case against King Dalindyebo over extortion allegations

CAPE TOWN - Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has opened a case against AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo for extortion allegations levelled against him.

Dalindyebo has publicly accused Mabuyane of benefitting from extortion deals in the province.

However, Mabuyane has denied the allegations.

Extortion-related incidents are on the rise in the Eastern Cape and more police have been deployed to the province to deal with the scourge.

READ: Mthatha and Gqeberha in EC identified as extortion hotspots

Mabuyane said the king's allegations were serious and must be investigated.

"For someone to do that, we take it as a diversion, it's an attempt to distract us not to focus on the real issues. But also, we don't want to take our eyes off the issues that are happening there. So, the MEC has opened a case already, and I'm doing a statement to get involved in the case myself because my name is there and I'm a Premier."