Serowe royals look to court to 'unlock' Kgotla
Innocent Selatlhwa | Wednesday December 6, 2023 09:25
Following the latest failed meeting over the weekend, the uncles told a handful of members of Morafe that they have since engaged a lawyer who would lead them in pursuing the matter. At least a third time now, the uncles and Morafe would try to make their way into the Kgotla only to be stopped by dozens of heavily armed security officials. They would then retreat and hold their meeting at a homestead not far from the Kgotla to voice out their frustrations at the denial of using the Kgotla. However, last weekend, things turned out differently. After having their meeting request rejected, they attempted to file an urgent application with the courts for the meeting to go through. After an exchange of documents with their attorney, the uncles eventually decided not to proceed with the case and postponed the meeting.
On Saturday morning, The Monitor team drove to Serowe to observe the situation where they found the Kgotla barricaded with steel barriers. While only about five police officers could be seen while approaching the Kgotla, this publication learnt that more of them were behind the Kgotla, awaiting an attempt to hold the 'illegal' meeting before they could pounce. The security officers had little to do as none of the uncles or Morafe attempted to enter the Kgotla. A handful of them met at the homestead where they held meetings before. According to the uncles, they had received a letter from Khama, who wanted them to proceed with replacing Kgamane, who had been out of office for over a year. “We then requested for the use of Kgotla for the consultative meeting. But Serogola responded briefly, stating that the Kgotla was not available for our use. This left us frustrated and we went to see the Police and District commissioners, who we had also copied in our letter. They both told us there was nothing they could do if Serogola had rejected the tour request,” royal uncle, Rasebolai Kgamane said.
Kgamane said they then discussed with Khama and agreed they need to tackle the matter legally. “We could have filed an urgent application for the meeting to go through. However, after compiling our papers, the attorney advised we were unlikely to succeed and we agreed to postpone the meeting and go back to the drawing board and respond to Serogola’s short rejection of our request. Serogola and the government are disrespecting us as Bagammangwato. But we will not be intimidated. We will not stop because we are talking about our rights. We will eventually get into our Kgotla,” he said. He said they would after responding to Serogola call another meeting, which they hope to hold before December. Kgamane called on those who attended to encourage others to join hands with them and contribute to raising the legal costs. For his part, Amigo Nthebolang said the meeting was meant for consultation on the process of selecting a regent. “What we wanted to do can only be done at the Kgotla. That is why we will try again to get into the Kgotla and hold that meeting. Khama has already written a number of times about who is to take over. We believe it is time the process is done and completed. Serogola knows there has to be someone placed above him at the Kgotla. Uncles have been consulted and we are now supposed to take the issue to Morafe,” he said.
A few members of Morafe also got an opportunity to speak. They expressed frustration at what was happening and promised to support the royal uncles on their newfound approach. Serogola would not be dragged into discussing the accusations against him. "Nna ke ta bua le Morafe, jaaka e le tsamaiso, ebile ke dirile jalo last time (I will hold court as is procedure. That is what I did last time)," he responded briefly.