07 Aug 2022

Kgatleng traditional leaders have called on government to tread carefully in dealing with the conflict between President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Lt Gen. Ian Khama.

Commenting during a consultative meeting with Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse in Mochudi on Thursday, Boseja South’s Kgosi Ivo Kgamanyane warned that the issue could degenerate into a civil war that would reverse the gains the country had made.

 “What is happening between President Masisi and Khama is not good for the country. This is a dangerous stage, we must tread very carefully, lest we slide into a civil war,” he warned.

The leaders stated that the conflict was a serious threat to national security especially  since the former president was travelling the world washing the country’s dirty linen in public.

They said the security threat was heightened by the  fact that General Khama was keeping some national secrets.

  Calling for a truce, they stated that the duo should find a common ground for the sake of the peace Botswana was renowned for.

 They promised to assist in finding a lasting solution to the matter. 

“We will continue to engage on different platforms to assist with ideas,” they said.

Several leaders made a number of suggestions with Artesia’s Kgosi George Thwane expressing the view that the issue was tribal therefore Bakgatla-Ba-Ga-Mmanaana and Bangwato  should be involved or be advised to intervene.

He also termed the issue political explaining that it could therefore not be handled by traditional leaders who were apolitical.

Morwa’s Kgosi Kwape Ntshole advised that intervention of Ntlo ya Dikgosi be sought while his Leshibitse counterpart Kgosi Tosh Kgotlele said the matter called for divine intervention and involvement of former presidents.

 Kgosi Letsebe Mpete  of  Dikwididi stated that Bakgatla already had a lot to contend with citing the exiling of the tribe’s  paramount chief.

 Bakgatla equally deserved the state’s attention to ensure that Kgosi Kgafela II returned home, he said.

Giving a synopsis of the Masisi-Khama feud earlier, Mr Autlwetse said it resulted from General Khama’s demands for privileges not legally provided for.

The demands included increased staff members, 15 armed security guards, a pension package tailor-made different for him and that his brother Mr Tshekedi Khama be appointed vice president, he said.

Mr Autlwetse pointed out that reconciliation efforts with different mediators appointed by both conflicted parties had failed.

The former president felt unfavoured by all mediators until the talks finally collapsed, he said.

Saying the feud had the potential of destabilising the country and dividing citizens along ethnic lines, he acknowledged that it should have long been brought before traditional leaders.

 On other issues, Minister Autlwetse implored dikgosi to plan chieftaincy successions to avoid conflicts stemming from unclear family hierarchies. 

He stressed the importance of family trees to identify the  rightful heirs. 

Dikgosi were also cautioned against active participation in politics to avoid dividing people along ethnic lines. ends