One man, one beast for Kgafela
Lerato Maleke | Tuesday August 12, 2014 13:23
At a kgotla meeting on Saturday, tribesmen said they feared the paramount chief and his heir, Matshego, were starving to death in South Africa as the petition asking President Ian Khama to drop his legal charges, goes unanswered.
Scores of Bakgatla delivered the petition in June demanding that Khama drop a slew of charges against Kgafela, who relocated to South Africa shortly after government derecognised him in 2012.
Secretary of the Mangana regiment, Kabelo Moswetsi, said Kgafela’s welfare was of paramount importance to the tribe.
“We fear for Kgafela’s life. You don’t know how he survives, or whether he has something to put on the plate for his wife and children, particularly Matshego, who is his successor,” he said.
Moswetsi said all contributions were welcome to raise funds for the fugitive chief.
“Whether it is a goat, cockerel, a bag of sorghum or beans, any donation is acceptable,” he said.
“What we will do is to sell whatever has been donated and give the money to our chief.”
He said young Bakgatla on Facebook were already mobilising funds through a 6,000-member strong group.
“We have held talks with members of the Facebook committee and have sensitised them on the group’s use,” he said.
“We are sure that no vulgar language will be used and we will keep on watching whatever is posted.”
At the kgotla meeting, tribesmen proposed that physical “fights” were necessary in light of the delays in the presidential petition, while others suggested that meetings be held with Local Government and Rural Development minister, Peter Siele.
Others still wanted the tribe to march from Mochudi to Gaborone to confront Khama, while others suggested seeking intervention from SADC and the European Union.
“Basarwa went out when this government was ill treating them, so we must go out as well,” said Kgatleng District Council chair Tona Mooketsi.
“Look what is happening. Our chief took a good move by relocating or he would not be alive this time.”
Mangana regiment committee member, Molefe Morokotso said Khama’s silence was indicative of his disdain for the tribe and Kgafela.
“It has been too long and the silence means something,” he said.
“If this is really democracy, those in power should show us now. If this is a peaceful government, they should demonstrate it. We don’t want to be harassed and we don’t want to harass anyone.”
The kgotla meeting heard the representatives of the Mangana regiment had been to the District Commissioner’s office on several occasions to enquire after the petition, but to no avail.