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From Autlwetse to Motshegwa: Khama’s fights with powerful subjects

Khama. PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO Khama. PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Khama. PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

During the past regime, Khama was at war with former Minister of Local Government Kgotla Autlwetse and, most recently, current minister Ketlhalefile Motshwegwa. Both are his subjects, with Autlwetse hailing from Khama’s village, Serowe, while Motshegwa comes from Mmadinare village, which fall under Khama’s Bagammangwato territory.

Khama is the chief, but at the same time, Local Government and Traditional Affairs ministers have authority over Dikgosi.

A subject is one who is placed under authority or control, who lives in the territory of, enjoys the protection of, and owes allegiance to a sovereign power or State.

Looking back, Khama’s war with his first powerful subject, Autlwetse, began in 2022, the same year the latter was appointed Minister of Local Government and Rural Development under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) regime.

Back then, the conflict started when Autlwetse disallowed the Bammangwato tribe and Khama’s uncles from using the Serowe main kgotla for the business of the tribe.

Autlwetse instructed former Bangwato regent Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane to never convene a kgotla meeting at the Serowe Kgotla or at any other kgotla, to discuss, debate or deal with any matter pertaining to, or which involves Khama and any of his family members.

This vexed Khama, who was at the time in a self-imposed exile in South Africa. Khama, in a statement, reminded Autlwetse that despite the latter’s position as a minister, he (Autlwetse) was still his subject.

He said it was his duty as Bangwato Kgosi to remind Autlwetse that even as Minister, he is his subject and has no business or right to interfere in his dealings with Bangwato.

“I must also warn Autlwetse that by disrespecting Kgosi Kgamane and me through Kgosi Kgamane, he is fanning the flames of tribal conflict, as many Bangwato have asked me to call Autlwetse to order, as I hereby do,” Khama said.

“If I needed his view or opinion on any such matter, I would let him know. I have so far not needed any. Even as I am aware of the minimum authority of Autlwetse as Minister responsible for Bogosi, I must state from the onset that the tone and contents of his letter to Kgosi Kgamane violate section 25 of the Bogosi Act, as it undermines my authority as Paramount Chief of Bangwato and, by extension, that of the tribe. Further, I cannot ignore the fact that in this particular matter, Autlwetse is heavily conflicted and cannot be a neutral arbiter,” read Khama’s statement at the time.

Khama added that in terms of Bangwato Tribal Affairs, Autlwetse is junior even to Kgosi Kgamane as a regent of Bangwato. He said it is abominable and 'downright rude' for Autlwetse to ever think he can call Kgosi Kgamane to order for respecting and implementing his (Khama’s) instructions.

The former president further warned Autlwetse to stay out of the affairs of his Kgotla and Gammangwato in general for his own good.

But Autlwetse, as the minister responsible for Dikgosi, couldn’t stay out of the Dikgosi affairs, and in the years that followed, Khama’s fight with Autlwetse escalated to the courts as Khama fought for Autlwetse to appoint his preferred Seretse Peter Khama as Motshwarelela Bogosi of the Bagammangwato tribe.

Khama wanted his chosen regent because the former president, Mokgwetsi Masisi’s regime, had expelled Kgosi Kgamane. Khama then wanted his uncle, Kgosi Serogola Seretse, removed from the position.

Autlwetse, through court documents, indicated that he couldn’t listen to anything Khama requests because the latter was ‘a fugitive’ and that a crucial step was missed for Ian to be recognised as Kgosi many years ago. He said Khama did not have the capacity to designate a regent.

But, Khama returned to Botswana and the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) won the elections in October last year and thereby removing the BDP. Khama was finally installed as chief of Bangwato and resumed his duties as Kgosi.

Khama indicated last year that he has removed his political hat, and this time he is working under Mmadinare legislator and veteran unionist Motshegwa.

But a clash began when Khama started holding meetings with councillors, something Motshegwa terms as ‘illegal’. In the letter dated April 16, 2025, the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Motshegwa, wrote to all Dikgosi to caution them that it is unacceptable for Dikgosi and councillors to host official meetings outside established structures.

“Examples of the legally permitted structures for such official meetings are the Kgotla when Councillors are attending to council business that concerns the community, and Dikgosi are attending in their capacity as ex officio members of full councils,” Motshegwa told Dikgosi.

He said it is objectionable for either Dikgosi or councillors to summon each other to meetings outside the established structure, irrespective of what the agenda may be.

Motshegwa said it was important that Dikgosi, as public office bearers and councillors as elected/nominated as political office bearers, do not blur the lines. Motshegwa said the two institutions are independent of each other and neither is subservient to the other.

Khama, through his lawyers, wrote to Motshegwa seeking clarification about his letter, indicating that he expresses disappointment with the tone and tenor of the letter. Khama said he found Motshegwa’s tone to be unduly reprimanding and inconsistent.

“Please indicate the legal basis under which your letter of 16 April 2025 was issued. Specifically, which provision of the Bogosi Act, the Local Government Act, or any other statute authorises the Minister to prohibit or discourage meetings between Dikgosi and Councillors outside the structures you describe,” Khama sought clarification from Motshegwa.

Khama said the directive, as currently worded, appears to restrict and limit the exercise by Dikgosi and councillors of their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association, as guaranteed under Sections 12(1) and 13(1) of the Constitution of Botswana.

Khama further reminded the ministry that Dikgosi aren't employees of the government and are not subjected to the Public Service Act (PSA) and that a Kgosi is rooted in customary law and solely regulated by the Bogosi Act. Even though Khama and Motshegwa have since clarified that there is no conflict, if Khama goes on to convene ‘illegal’ meetings with politicians outside ‘established structures’, the former president is likely to attract disciplinary action from the minister.

According to the Bogosi Act, a Kgosi can only be removed if the Minister, in this case Motshegwa, has reasonable cause to believe that the Kgosi of any tribe is incapable of exercising his or her powers.

According to the Act, Motshegwa can also remove Khama from bogosi if he has reasonable cause to believe that Khama has abused his powers or is being insubordinate or is refusing or has refused to carry out lawful orders.

Motshegwa, just like his predecessor, who fired Kgosi Kgamane from the regency, can also dethrone Khama if he believes the latter is, for any reason, not a fit and proper person to be a Kgosi. Furthermore, according to the Act, the Minister shall make such enquiry as he may consider appropriate and shall afford the Kgosi an opportunity to be heard.

Moreover, according to the Act, the minister may issue directions in writing to any Kgosi, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Bogosi Act, for the better carrying out of the provisions of this Act.

“Any Kgosi who, without good cause, fails to comply with any directions given to him or her by the Minister shall be liable to be reprimanded, suspended, stoppage of increment of salary or be deposed in accordance with the provisions of section 13.”

The Act further specifies that any person who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Minister deposing or suspending him or her as Kgosi may appeal in writing to the President against the decision within two months of the giving of the decision.

Besides the recent one where Kgosi Kgamane was expelled by the previous administration, similar situations unfolded in the past when Kgosi Seepapitso of the Bangwaketse was dethroned by the late Chapson Butale, then Local Government Minister and Kgafela Kgafela of Bakgatla was derecognised by the government.