Dikgosi fired over court dispute
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday February 11, 2026 11:50
This action followed a court case in which three chiefs contested the organisation of the 145th celebration, claiming that they had not been consulted before the event. The three dikgosi involved in the lawsuit were Kgosi Motsholathebe Gaborone, the senior chief representative; Kgosi Joseph Matlapeng, who passed away in January; and the headman of arbitration, Kgosi Korwe.
Their legal action drew significant attention to the concerns of certain tribal leaders regarding the lack of consultation and communication surrounding the celebration. In a briefing to the tribe on Saturday, Kgosi Gaborone expressed his deep frustration with the events that unfolded during 2025, describing it as an especially difficult year for the tribe. 'There was no peace in this Kgotla at all. We were operating in a toxic environment,' he stated. 'This atmosphere even affected government employees working here, which in turn, compromised the quality of service delivery,' he said.
Kgosi Gaborone went on to elaborate that, at times, his directives and leadership were disregarded by some of the chiefs, further escalating tensions within the community. He emphasised that his role as the leader involved appointing Dikgosana only after extensive consultations with the tribe, making decisions in their best interest. However, some tribal leaders appeared to disregard these collaborative efforts, opting instead to communicate their concerns through letters. 'There were multiple occasions where certain dikgosi communicated with me primarily through written correspondence,' he continued. 'This, unfortunately, created unnecessary division. It became clear that the situation was deteriorating to a point where these leaders were compelled to take the matter to the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs.'
In addition, he said the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, acted after he wrote to his ministry to terminate their employment because of disputes and tensions. The escalation of tensions ultimately led to the involvement of higher authorities, who had to intervene in the dispute. “The ministry's decision to dismiss the chiefs came after careful consideration of the disruptive impact the conflict was having on the tribe's overall functioning,” he said. He said this action is a necessary step to restore peace and order, ensuring that the tribe can move forward and function harmoniously. In addition, Kgosi Gaborone pointed out that the unrest had a significant negative effect on the efficiency of government services. 'When tribal leaders are at odds with each other, it creates a ripple effect that impacts every aspect of governance,' he explained. 'The public suffers because service delivery is compromised when internal conflicts are allowed to fester.'
Whilst the legal disputes have left a deep mark on the community, Kgosi Gaborone remains hopeful for a resolution that will allow the tribe to move past the turbulence of the past year. 'We need to work together to rebuild trust and unity,' he stressed. 'Only by doing so can we create a stable environment for future generations.' However, Kgosi Gaborone has been given until March to fill those three vacant posts.