08 Jun 2014

Multitudes of Bakgatla ba Kgafela assembled at the office of the district commissioner on Friday, June 6, to deliver a petition to the district commissioner, Ms Wame Samapipi who received it on behalf of President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

Among the hundreds of people were Members of Parliament, Mr Gilbert Mangole and Mr Isaac Mabiletsa together with Kgatleng District Council chairman, Mr Tona Mooketsi. The petition sought for redress of grievances on the conflict between Bakgatla ba Kgafela chieftaincy and the government.

Reading out the petition before Bakgatla prior to handing it over to the district commissioner, one of the members of Mangana regiment, Mr Moagi Molebatsi said after the coronation as kgosikgolo of Bakgatla in September 2008, morafhe through Kgafela II came up with some initiatives among them to resurrect the cultural and traditional values of Bakgatla and promote respect for the rule of customary law.

He said as a result of the implementation of some of these initiatives, particularly administering corporal punishment, their leader, Kgosi Kgafela, and some tribesmen were arrested, charged and hauled before the courts of law and their never ending court saga is still continuing.

Mr Molebatsi further said this delayed justice resulting in conflicts between the tribal leadership and government leading to undue refusal by the government to allow Kgafela II to take his rightful seat in Ntlo ya Dikgosi.

He alleged that their leader was arrested and charged for the offenses he did not commit and he was also derecognised as kgosi of Bakgatla in October 2011.

Molebatsi added that an issuance of the warrant of arrest order was made against Kgafela II and lack of consultation with morafe by government on matters concerning their leaders. He said these actions taken by the government had created a leadership vacuum in the tribe and was indicative of lack of respect for Bakgatla.

“Mr President, it has become increasingly difficult for morafe to ignore the fact that for reasons best known to you, your government is on a roll to annihilate the bogosi ba Bakgatla ba Kgafela. You have de-recognised our kgosikgolo Kgafela II, you have derecognised our kgosi Bana Sekai Linchwe and we do not want your government to ultimately derecognise us as a morafe wa Bakgatla ba Kgafela,” read part of the petition.

He said they were prepared as morafe wa Bakgatla to trade their heads in defending their bogosi against any force of destruction. Mr Molebatsi further said they demanded unconditional and immediate retraction of the de-recognition of Kgafela II and Kgosi Sekai Linchwe and withdrawal of the warrant of arrest order against kgosikgolo.

He said they also requested the dropping of all charges against Kgafela II, Bana Sekai and many other tribesmen adding that government must desist from making decisions concerning bogosi and the culture of Bakgatla ba Kgafela without consulting the morafe.

Mr Molebatsi concluded that in the wake of the significance and essence of unity, organisation and cooperation, they sought a swift response and ideal pragmatic stance and deed to resolve matters herein stated, for a peaceful coexistence.

When receiving the petition, Ms Samapipi said she would deliver their petition to the Office of the President on the same day. ENDS