Bakgatla divided over Bogosi commission
Lerato Maleke | Monday October 13, 2014 18:09
Some rejected the commission and rather wanted Preident Ian Khama and the Local Government Minister to address a petition by a Bakgatla regiment sent there four months ago.
However, some proposed that the commission be allowed to do its task and report back to Khama and see what he would do thereafter.
Mochudi West MP Gilbert Mangole of the opposition UDC dismissed the comission arguing that nothing compels Khama to come to Mochudi after the commission has presented its report.
Mangole also feared that the commission could spell the end for Kgafela if the majority feels they no longer need him.
“What about if the majority say they are fine with Kgafela’s derecognition”, asked Mangole.
He also warned that the majority of the responses would come outside the Kgotla and that Bakgatla should remember what happened to Kgosi Sebele of Bakwena.
“The decision was taken based on what the majority said and therefore Sebele was kicked out,” he warned.
Kgafela’s loyalist Kgosana Jabavu Morema, who is always against government, this time around sounded different. He urged Bakgatla to allow the commission to do its task.
Morema said that government’s decision to ban deputy chief Bana Sekai arose from members of the lekoko (concerned group), who met Khama and told him the untruths.
However, Kgafela’s uncle Kitso Linchwe, warned that Bakgatla should be careful when discussing the bogosi issue. Kitso said he wants peace with his nephew and government. “A re baakanyeng, re thibe fa diphatlha di bulegileng teng. Bakgatla! A re ikgabetseng,” he advised.
Kitso said that he has met Siele on several occasions but not Khama, and that both the Bakgatla delegation and members of the “lekoko” (concerned members), should work together, adding, “I don’t find any problem in Moagi Molebatsi’s delegation and rre Letlotlo Kopong’s group working together”.
Kitso said that it is very important that they hear what dikgosi, dikgosana, uncles and the tribe say, hence take a way forward.
He said that this would be an amicable time for the commission to intervene, “A re ithuseng pele gore ba tle ba re thuse,” he said, adding that there shouldn’t be any hurry.
Another tribesman Moatshe Dintwe from Lentswe le Moriti, said they want Khama himself to solve the bogosi impasse and come to address Bakgatla because they see Khama as a Kgosi not a president.
Earlier on, when presenting about the delegation’s visit to Khama, led by Molebatsi as the coordinator, Matshwenyego Ramotswetla said they met with Khama and presented their grievances. He, however, said Khama was not comfortable and informed the delegation that both Kgafela and Sekai had been insulting government.
Ramotswetla said that among the officials who attended were minister Olebile Gaborone and Attorney General Athalia Molokomme and Permanent Secretary in the Local Government ministry, Khumo Matlhare, who said that Kgafela took government to court and that he doesn’t have the powers in Botswana since he has a South African citizenship.
He warned the tribe to be a cautious as anything may come out if they reject the commission, looking at what Matlhare said.