24 Sep 2018

Acting President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has calmed Basubiya and urged them to stop worrying about their bogosi as the dispute has long been resolved.

He said they should have a piece of mind as government had listened and acted upon their plea to recognise their paramount chief after thorough consultations with all relevant authorities.

He made the remarks when responding to some comments raised by Mr Jonhson Mabuta, the Basubiya Adhoc Committee chairperson, who complained about the letter written to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and copied to Office of the President.

The committee fought for recognition of Kgosi Munitenge Maiba II as kgosi kgolo of all Basubiya in the country.

The letter was written in 2012 and addressed to the then minister, Mr Peter Siele to intervene as a certain group in the community questioned the legitimacy of the current kgosi.

Mr Mabuta said the matter was giving him sleepless nights and requested Mr Tsogwane to intervene.

He added that the concerned group did not recognise the kgosi as they did not honour community activities, citing the  annual Basubiya Cultural festival.

Mr Mabuta also said the letter was misleading and wished the author could be referred to the history books, which he said narrate the history of Basubiya in details.

He cited some books such as Botswana Notes and Records Volume 4 of 1972, Altlas of Botswana, saying the writer could have informed himself before he submitted the letter.

He declared that he had a wealth of information to assist government on the matter.

Mr Mabuta also called on government officials to address Kgosi Munitenge Maiba as kgosi.

In response, Mr Tsogwane advised him to leave the matter to the relevant ministries.

“This issue has long been resolved and you should not worry because you fought tirelessly and won. What you should be worried about is the welfare of your kgosi and his benefits,” he added.

He explained that the community should appreciate that in life there would be misunderstandings and jealousy and if they took such to heart, they would never have a piece of mind.

Mr Tsogwane said if the relevant ministries did not seek evidence from him, it meant they have answers.

The dispute over the Basubiya chieftainship dates back to 2006 and it was resolved after several interventions by different ministries and consultation with the community.

The issue was addressed by Mr Tsogwane while he was the minister of Local Government and Rural Development. ENDS