Batlokwa demand action against five rival chiefs
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday December 10, 2025 06:00
Different speakers told Kgosi Gaborone to act fast so that there is peace in the Kgotla. The five who took Kgosi Gaborone to court are Kgosintwa Gaborone, Kgosi Motsholathebe Gaborone, Kgosi Ramonnye Matlapeng, Kgosi Stephen Korwe, and Keorapetse Bashwa. The call was made during a well-attended kgotla meeting in Tlokweng on Saturday, where speakers signalled that the tribe was ready to move forward on one clear road after weeks of unnecessary detours caused by the legal dispute. They said what had happened shows disrespect against Kgosi Gaborone and the tribe. Speakers said the actions of the five chiefs had disrupted the smooth flow of preparations for the celebration and had shown that the group could no longer travel in the same direction as the rest of the leadership. Many argued that the five had created avoidable 'roadblocks' at a time when the tribe needed steady navigation and unity.
Olebile Gaborone told the gathering that challenges should strengthen unity, not divide it, comparing the situation to passengers remaining together despite bumps on the road. “No one will ever divide us as your uncles. We will stand with you. This has even brought us closer. You are their employer, and you are the one who can take action against them,” he said.
Another speaker, Monty Matsetse, echoed the support and said the Kgosi had kept the tribe’s journey on track despite attempts by some to slow progress. “We are behind you in everything you do. You have tried, and you continue trying, to unite Batlokwa. It is clear some want to sabotage that effort,” he said.
Kgosi Gaborone had earlier briefed the tribe on the achievements and challenges experienced whilst preparing for the 145 Tlokweng celebration, which brought together Batlokwa from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. He said that although the route to the event had included potholes created by resistance and misinformation, the celebration was successfully held because the community stayed on course and supported one another. He thanked his uncles for standing by him when some chiefs accused him of failing to consult them, noting that consultations had started as far back as 2019. He described the court action as an unexpected obstruction placed on the highway to unity. “When chiefs fight, the tribe gets lost. I urge Batlokwa to stay united and put differences aside. As chiefs, it is our responsibility to unite our people,” he said, adding that the actions of those chiefs had shocked him. He further revealed his surprise that the chiefs even demanded to know who would inherit the bogosi upon his death. “Ke eng le batla go itse mojaboswa wame ke tshela?” he asked. “I am not going to discuss matters concerning my child or children,” he said.
Kgosi Gaborone concluded by thanking all members of the tribe who supported him throughout the dispute, saying their encouragement ensured the leadership journey stayed steady even when others attempted to push it off course.