Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) has called on President Jacob Zuma to pardon Thembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.

This came after South Africa announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) recently.

The withdrawal was on the basis that ICC only targeted African leaders.

Contralesa president Kgosi Setlamorago Thobejane said yesterday that at the 8th national general council that took place at the weekend, a decision was taken to approach Zuma for a presidential pardon for the incarcerated king.

"We support the withdrawal of South Africa from the ICC, but Zuma must also do the right thing by offering a presidential pardon to Dalindyebo," Thobejane said.

He said they would not entertain issues of a parole for Dalindyebo, but only a presidential pardon.

"Our view is that someone who gets parole remains a prisoner until he completes his sentence, and in the case of Dalindyebo we believe he must be freed unconditionally," he said.

Thobejane said they firmly believed the acceptance of westernised norms and values was not always a solution to deal with challenges facing the African continent.

"In this regards, the decision of the South African government to withdraw from the ICC is a step in the right direction and fortifies our conviction that the incarceration of His Majesty King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo using the Roman-Dutch legal system in SA is unjust and un-African," he said.

Thobejane said they planned to meet Zuma to ask for the presidential pardon.

Dalindyebo is a member of Contralesa.

Bongani Ngqulunga, presidential spokesman, had not responded to both a SMS and e-mail sent to him for comment by the time of going to print.

Dalindyebo was sentenced to 12 years after he was found guilty of seven counts of kidnapping, three of assault, three of arson, defeating the ends of justice and culpable homicide.

frankm@sowetan.co.za