‘Extortionist’ Dalinzolo Mareke was not Mthatha West chief, government confirms
Mareke, accused of extortion by the community and police, was masquerading as chief of Mthatha West in the lead-up to his death.
Suspected Eastern Cape extortionist Sakhumzi Dalinzolo Mareke, who was killed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mthatha on Wednesday evening, is not recognised by government as chief of Mthatha West.
Mareke, who had assumed the title of “chief” of Mthatha West in the community and in media interviews, was a fraud and no official record of him as a traditional leader exists, the Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) confirmed.
“In the departmental Persal [government payroll] system, there is no recognised traditional leader of Mthatha West by the name of Dalinzolo Mareke,” provincial Cogta spokesperson, Mamkeli Ngam, told The South African.
Recognised traditional leaders in South Africa receive a stipend from government through the Persal system.
Traditional leaders long suspected Dalinzolo Mareke was not a chief
Cogta’s statement confirms suspicions put forward by Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa secretary-general Zolani Mkiva.
On Wednesday after news of Mareke’s death was confirmed by police, Mkiva expressed doubt regarding the veracity of claims that Mareke was chief of Mthatha West.
Mkiva also echoed abaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo’s disavowing of Mareke as chief.
Asked about Mareke’s legitimacy as a traditional leader, Mkiva said: “Recognition [of royalty] does not end with the community. Government must put a stamp, which is signed off by a senior traditional leader – who is the chair of the traditional council and authority of the area.
“When a king [Dalindyebo] says he is not even aware of the designation of this traditional leader [Mareke], then Cogta has a duty to confirm the legitimacy and credibility of this [supposed] traditional leader.
“All traditional [legitimate] leaders are on the state [pay]roll. For their service and responsibilities, including powers and functions, they are given a stipend on a monthly basis,” Mkiva told Newzroom Afrika
On Thursday morning, the AbaThembu Royal Kingdom said 42-year-old Mareke was never a traditional leader or chief in the Mthatha West area.
“We call on other individuals masquerading as chiefs or traditional leaders in the area, enabling their criminal enterprise as extortionists, to immediately desist from such criminal behaviour,” the royal house said in a statement.
Events leading up to suspects’ deaths
According to SAPS, Mareke and two others were killed following a shootout on Wednesday afternoon, with one police officer left injured.
“Three armed suspects were fatally shot, and one police officer [warrant officer] was injured following a shootout at the National Intervention Unit premises in Mthatha today, 4 September 2024, at about 16:30,” SAPS said in a statement.
According to SAPS, the shootout took place after police had enacted a “disruptive operation” aimed at Mareke and others. After this operation, Mareke and his associates tailed the police in two cars.
“On completion of the operation, members proceeded to their unit premises at the Embassy Building in Mthatha. On their way, they noticed that they were being followed by two vehicles, a Nissan Qashqai and a Toyota Fortuner.
“As members arrived at the premises, the two suspicious vehicles stopped behind them, and the three men armed with firearms alighted and immediately opened fire. Police retaliated, fatally wounding the three men,” SAPS said.
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