Dalindyebo’s brothers held a press conference in Mthatha on Sunday, where they bemoaned the division that has hit the family since the imprisonment of the king.

The family said they would be announcing an acting king soon, after a series of meetings with chiefs from the AmaDlomo and the Abathembu nation.

"According to our custom, we cannot have two kings, hence we are talking about someone who will act on his behalf, until he comes back."

They did not say who the "caretaker" king would be.

Calling for calm and unity, one of the king's brothers, Prince Zanothando, on Wednesday said there had been a number of meetings of "splinter" groups since the king was imprisoned.

Some of these meetings were even held in brothels at night, he said.

The family called for the funders of the different groups to cease promoting the divisions.

They said there were four people contesting the throne.

The brothers said all these groups were looking for self-enrichment and were not interested in looking after the needs of the King's children.

Dalindyebo began serving his 12-year jail term at Wellington prison in Mthatha on December 30 for assault, kidnapping, and arson.

In 2009, Dalindyebo was sentenced to 15 years in prison for culpable homicide, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, arson, and kidnapping. He was granted bail pending the outcome of his appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). In October, the SCA set aside his culpable homicide conviction and reduced his sentence to 12 years.

Abathembu chief Daludumo Mtirara told News24 on Sunday that the new king would be chosen on Monday at the Bumbane Great Place.

He said the meeting, which starts at 10:00, would discuss suitable candidates within the royal houses.

Dalindyebo’s family, however, said that was not their meeting. Prince Zanothando said they had heard about it and called it "illegal", as it would be held on his father’s property, without permission from the family.

"They will be in contravention of the law."

The family called for stability and said they were not in favour of any of the groups contesting the throne.

-News24.com