This is not about politics - Kgosi Seboko
Sharon Mathala | Monday October 17, 2022 06:00
Now Masisi’s adversaries in the political sphere are riding on the wave. The president of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Duma Boko did not miss the opportunity to take a swipe at Masisi during his visit to South Africa that was aired on the neighbouring country’s national television SABC. Now, the Botswana National Front (BNF) is set to host mass demonstrations whilst the president of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Dumelang Saleshando will also make a statement on the affairs of the judiciary and state of the country, following Kgosi Mosadi’s utterances.
Following the postponement of the appeal case brought forward by the government, Mmegi caught up with Kgosi Seboko on the sidelines of court. She pleads with Mmegi: ‘Please protect me because I don’t want to be seen as if I am disrespecting anyone especially those that hold high offices.’ She added: “Politics, what politics. This is about the land that belongs to Balete. I am not into politics nor do I belong to any political party. I am not playing politics but I was simply telling Balete what happened during the meeting I had with the President.”
Kgosi Mosadi further pointed out that since her statement, she has been accused of campaigning for the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) because she was wearing ‘yellow’ colours on the day of the Kgotla meeting. “It is surprising because I own all kinds of clothes in all kinds of colours. Today I am wearing green does it mean I now endorse or belong to that other party? I am a leader and I am accountable to my people. I am a responsible leader and citizen. I can’t possibly make such declaration," emphasised the Balete traditional leader.
Asked about her thoughts on Bogosi and politics, Kgosi Mosadi was prompt in her response: “Look Dikgosi and politicians are both leaders who should account to their people. They should work for their people and not serve their own interests." Asked if she is considering a political position she said: “Do you know how old I am? I am actually about to take things very slow on a number of things, so no. I do not have any interest in politics. Outside that, I do exercise my rights as a citizen. I was not de-campaigning anyone because all of these politicians are my children. I was not de-campaigning Ramotswa legislator Lefoko Moagi. I was and still simply stating the truth.” Kgosi Mosaid further said she is aware of the propaganda that is being peddled to discredit her. “I know people say I am fighting this hard because I have interests in the land, that is not true. The land belongs to Balete and I am only just a signatory," she clarified.
Asked who is sponsoring their marathon legal battle against government, Kgosi Mosadi shared that they have been assisted by the Southern Africa Litigation Centre as well as tribesmen and women. Questioned on how much they have spent in the legal battle for the farmland piece, Kgosi Mosadi said she could not remember at the top of her head but the battle could be running into millions of pula. She shocked the nation recently when she shared intimate details of her meeting with President Masisi. The Balete leader alleged that Masisi had promised to hand the tribe back their land.
She further alleged that the President had made comments to the effect that he has control over the judiciary and somehow knows what the outcome of their case would be. The case resumed this week with a packed courtroom session as tribesmen came out in numbers to listen to the court proceedings. The appeal was postponed to the next session of the Court of Appeal.