“It Did Not Buy My Loyalty”: King Dalindyebo Takes Aim at Malema Over R1.8m Gift
- Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo publicly broke with EFF leader Julius Malema at a partnership launch in Mthatha on 4 September 2026
- The king accused Malema of attempting to use gifts to influence traditional leaders and of failing to respect royal protocol
- Dalindyebo also used the occasion to distance himself from the EFF's positions on Israel, immigration, and the GNU
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EASTERN CAPE — Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has publicly rejected Julius Malema's political influence, declaring that the luxury vehicle the EFF leader gifted him did not entitle Malema to dictate his views or command his loyalty.
According to the Daily Dispatch, the king made the remarks on 4 September 2026 at the launch of a partnership between the Abathembu Royal Kingdom and Nazarene Finance in Mthatha.
Dalindyebo rejects Malema's influence
The two men were once closely aligned. Dalindyebo joined the EFF and, in November 2021, Malema presented him with a R1.8 million Mercedes-Benz GLX at his home. The party described the vehicle at the time as a gift to one of its heroes and denied it was intended as a bribe.
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That relationship now appears fully severed. Dalindyebo accused Malema of attempting to use material gifts to sway traditional leaders, and launched a direct personal attack on the EFF leader, calling him "an ill-disciplined," "stupid president of a stupid political party" who does not respect royal protocol.
King takes aim at EFF positions
Dalindyebo used the occasion to distance himself sharply from the EFF's policy stances. On the Israel-Palestine conflict, he placed himself in direct opposition to his former party, which backs Palestine.
"We stand with Israel and we are not ashamed of that," he told the gathering.
He also criticised the presence of foreign nationals in South Africa, a position similarly at odds with the EFF.
No faith in any party
The king extended his criticism beyond Malema to South Africa's broader political landscape. He expressed disillusionment with the entire political class, stating he no longer has faith "whether it is with the EFF, ATM, MK or DA." He described the Government of National Unity as "rotten potatoes."
Dalindyebo also questioned the ANC's long-term hold on power, suggesting the party's dominance is coming to an end.
"We can see that Jesus is now around, the ANC is leaving," he said.
Malema confirms King is no longer EFF
Briefly News previously reported that Julius Malema confirmed that King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo is no longer a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The AbaThembu King pledged his support to the Red Berets in the run-up to the 2021 South African municipal elections, but his recent trip to Israel has severed that relationship. Malema added that while King Dalindyebo was no longer a member of the party, it did not affect the party’s relationship with the royal family and the AbaThembu people.
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