Autlwetse won't intervene in Thamaga chieftainship
Mpho Mokwape | Tuesday August 22, 2023 06:00
Autlwetse, who was approached by the surviving daughters of the late Kgosi Gobuamang Gobuamng, said the matters surrounding chieftainship were under the purview of the elders.
As a result, he said he can't intervene as per their request. Speaking to The Monitor, the minister acknowledged being aware of the escalating conflict regarding the rightful heir. Nonetheless, he asserted that he was constrained by the ongoing deliberations amongst the elders. 'Okay, jaanong kea go tlhaloganya. Bogosi ja Thamaga bo santse bo rerwa ke beng ba jone.
Gase kgang e ke tshwanetseng go tsena mogo yone,' Autlwetse said. The minister clarified that issues concerning the legitimate heir are not within his realm of interference.
He emphasised that the leaders currently engaged in the discussions hold the authority to determine the rightful successor to the throne. He also highlighted that even if he were to come across information beneficial to the discussions, he was not at liberty to share it, as the decisions remain the prerogative of the elders. 'Le ha gongwe gona le se ke kabong kese bonye golo gongwe e santse ele sa beng.
Ga kena tshwanelo ya go se anamisa,' he affirmed. Autlwetse's response follows the daughters of the late Thamaga tribal leader, Kgosi Gobuamang Gobuamang, Pinky, Bone, and Tebogo, expressing their dissatisfaction over the lack of response from the minister despite sending two letters. The sisters, who are represented by attorney Uyapo Ndadi, believe they hold the rightful claim to the throne. However, their requests for intervention in the chieftainship conflict have remained unanswered.
The initial letter, dated April 20, asked Minister Autlwetse to invoke Section 22(3) of the Bogosi Act, which empowers him to recognise a tribal leader chosen by the community. The sisters’ second letter, dated July 11, 2023, was prompted by the minister's non-response to their first attempt. The sisters' attorney expressed their concern that bias had been shown towards them and warned that if the minister did not act, legal action might be pursued.
“We lament that despite having fundamental issues of public significance in our April letter, we have not been favoured with a response,” read the letter. Ndadi explained in the letter that his clients were anxious to know where things stood following what they alleged as biases exhibited towards them as supposed legitimate heirs and pointed out that should the minister fail to act they will be forced to take the matter to court. In the second letter, they also indicated that should the minister fail to intervene they will sue.
“{We} Would like to place it on record that should the minister not invoke Section 22(3)(a) the Bogosi Act, we will approach the court and have the process leading to the appointment of a Chief of any other person not preferred by the community a nullity,” read the letter. The letter was to serve as a statutory notice as it was also addressed to the Attorney General.
The trio in their plea had asked the minister to address the unfortunate situation in the light of what they deem Moshupa chief, Kgosi Kgabosetso Mosielele II’s clear bias and imposing of his views not that of the community. “In terms of the law, your office is empowered to not recognise any person as a Kgosana whose recognition by a Kgosi was without due consideration of the wishes and interests of the tribal territory or tribal area. There is no clearer case that warrants your intervention than this one,” reads the previous letter. The sisters urged the minister to consider the wishes of the community in his decision-making process and underscored Bone’s eligibility and Thamaga community's preference for the role.