03 Oct 2013

Kgosi Gomolemo Omphile of Basimane ward in Serowe has condemned acts of vandalism and other unbecoming activities going on at the burial ground of the Bangwato royals.

Kgosi Omphile said in an interview that he had found empty bottles and cans of alcoholic drinks as well as packets of condoms which suggest that people were also indulging in sexual practices at the royal cemetery.

He blamed easy access to the cemetery on lack of tight security adding that there has never been urgency in fortifying security in the past years because then people had a lot of respect for dikgosi and the sacredness of the royal cemetery as well as the Kgotla which was held in high regard.

“It is disheartening to note that people of today can disrespect such great men who made our country the envy of the world without a conscience,” he said.

At the cemetery, Kgosi Omphile said rest great men such as Khama III and former President Sir Seretse Khama among others who were instrumental in making Botswana a better place that it is today. He pointed out that visitors and those who have worked closely with these legends always want to see where they have been buried and that it would be an eyesore if they were to see the cemetery in such a bad state. Also, Kgosi Omphile said the rock rabbits at Serowe Hill which formed part of the royal cemetery have also suffered the gruesome acts of men.

“There are some people who come to the hill to hunt rock rabbits, despite that it is illegal and in the process vandalise some of the tombstones,” he said.

He said there were no punitive measures against perpetrators who illegally enter the grave yard but one could be brought to court to answer for trespassing, common nuisance and damage to property if caught.
“We normally warm people if we see them there and if they show some remorse we let them go at our discretion but there some who would not show remorse and those are the ones who would face the wrath of the law,” he said.

He added they were yet to negotiate with the Land board to see if the area, including Serowe hill could not be fenced and deploy security to keep the place safe. Kgosi Omphile is of the view that the place should be under government security like in other countries where cemeteries of legends of the Khama family’s caliber were guarded by government security. ENDS