Bakgatla royal rift widens
Lerato Maleke | Monday May 26, 2014 15:11
He said Sekai should stop misleading people and refrain from creating a fuss about his retirement. He said the royal uncle is not the first person in Botswana to reach retirement age. “Rangwane’s retirement is like any other Motswana who reaches the age of 65, hence he should be reminded that he/she should go,” Mmusi told The Monitor.
He is wondering why Sekai’s retirement as a civil servant is causing noise in Kgatleng. He said Sekai is not more special than other civil servants. “I find nothing wrong about what Minister Peter Siele (Local Government) published in the Government Gazette. To me, this was an emphasis and a reminder to the nation that Rangwane Sekai, like any other civil servant, has reached retirement age and that he can no longer act as a Kgosi,” said Mmusi who is a lawyer.
He explained that Siele’s clarification was that Sekai was not banned, the “government simply wanted to inform the nation that he has reached the retirement age, hence he is no longer a chief”. He slammed members of the tribe for being ignorant of the law, particularly the Bogosi Act. He said the very same people continue to mislead and divide the tribe, fanning the differences with the government. “I warned Rangwane Sekai on several occasions that he should refrain from attacking government and also using vulgar language. We would agree in meetings and from there, he would go and attack government,” he explained. Mmusi said he is shocked to learn that the tribe is trying to bring peace between Sekai and government. He faulted his uncle for his constant attacks on government and cabinet ministers despite warnings to stop.
“Now I am shocked that he wants the very same people who he attacked to reinstate him. Had he listened to me and refrained from attacking the people who are in power, they could have renewed his contract,” said Mmusi.
“How do you renew someone’s contract and reinstate him whereas he keeps on insulting you all the time, even if you try to show peace?” he wondered. “Those who are in power should always be respected. We are not saying the bogosi should be undermined but government comes first and our wish is for the two institutions to work and guide each other,” he said.
He said Bakgatla must know that the position of deputy chief does not exist in their bogosi and the appointment of Sekai was a favour from government.
Mmusi dismissed Sekai’s claims that he is sympathetic to the government because he has been given a tender with his brother Bakgatle. He wants his brother, Kgafela back in Mochudi.
He said Kgafela does not like people who are aggressive and that he always advised that one must always be calm when facing the enemy. He said he would address a Kgotla meeting at an unspecified time in future.