Headed by Gabolekane Mokgobelelo, the village kgotla ceased operation in April after the court order, which suspended the use of the names pending elections by residents to decide a proper name. The meeting that was held in May addressed by Tlholego Seretse from Serowe resolved that the elections for the village name be held on July 1. However, Matolwane residents challenged the decision at the High Court and the case was deferred to July 11. The date was again postponed after Lesenepole residents changed their legal representation and December 13 was set.

According to Lesenepole spokesperson, Gaotlhobogwe Mosebi, residents have been receiving tribal administration assistance from Maunatlala and Palapye customary courts since their kgotla ceased operations.

Mosebi said a fortnight ago, Palapye Senior Sub-Tribal Authority, Raditanka Ntebele, addressed a kgotla meeting in the village at which he ordered that it starts to function through an order from the government. He stated that Ntebele refused to give them a copy of the document that he claimed was from the government so they could have some proof that he had been sent.

"We were not given any evidence of the document that ordered him to resume the kgotla operations, hence a four-person delegation was sent to Maunatlala to confirm and seek clarification." He added that the copy of a document that Ntebele presented at their kgotla was available and another headman who refused to make them a copy without his senior's consent read it to them.

Mosebi claimed that the delegation then headed for Palapye two days after Ntebele's meeting to petition one District Officer who confirmed receipt of a letter from Attorney General's Chambers, allegedly stating that kgotla operations were not supposed to have been suspended over the village name issue.

"We are surprised on how all this can happen. There are usually no proper consultations with the community through kgotla meetings when such decisions are taken."

When contacted for comment Ntebele, who confirmed the meeting he addressed to resume kgotla operation, said he was sent by the government to address the meeting. Lesenepole residents are at liberty to appeal the decision if they so wish. "We were feeling pity for the residents, hence arrangements to open the kgotla for operations." Ntebele, however would not comment further because it was over the phone. Maunatlala headman, Phoophoo Mapena, confirmed that Lesenepole delegation came to his office expressing their displeasure at the resumption of the village kgotla operations. "I did not attend the kgotla meeting that was addressed by Ntebele and I told them that I did not know anything about the meeting." Mapena confirmed that his office was in possession of the letter from the AG's Chambers. Seretse could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press.

The Lesenepole/Matolwane village has been engulfed in a wrangle over the proper name of their village after Lesenepole residents challenged the decision to name the village Matolwane instead of Lesenepole which they maintain is the rightful name historically. The case has been dragging before the courts since 1997 when it was first registered in the high court.