Tribal foes smoke peace pipe at Moapare�s installation

Zolani Kraai | Tuesday June 2, 2015 15:21

Ahead of Moapare’s installation, a group opposed to his nomination had been lobbying for a rival candidate. While the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development appointed Moapare on May 5, the embers of the dispute burned ahead of the weekend installation.

Amidst much pomp and ceremony, tribal elder, Amos Moncho showered Moapare with praises, backtracking from his previous support for Molaodi Leipego. Leipego is presently the acting Hukuntsi chief and will pave way for Moapare when the latter leaves his current employment. “You are the rightful heir to this throne and let us not forget the fact that you are also part of the royal bloodline to the hierarchy,” Moncho said. “From now on, I will respect you more and serve you as your loyal subject.” Moncho, who is also a former Kgalagadi Land Board member, had been regarded by many in Hukuntsi as an influential figure in Leipego’s challenge for the throne. Moncho told the gathering that he had decided to “refresh his Christian beliefs”, and that he was prepared to serve his kgosi diligently and honestly.

He added that he would have ‘loved’ to ‘bluntly’ inform Leipego to also lay down arms and accept Moapare.

“We cannot continue living like this. We are brothers and what happened in the past has gone down with water under the bridge,” Moncho said.  “History has spoken for itself in as far as the Hukuntsi chieftaincy lineage is concerned, and Kgosi Moapare IV is fit to lead Hukuntsi. We cannot continue to fight other people’s wars, as this will delay the development of the village.  “Our children are not learning anything from these issues but rather we need to stop these negative attitudes of ours in the name of Christ.” Leipego attended Moapare’s installation and welcomed guests earlier in the morning. However, after 47 minutes, he left the kgotla informing the director of ceremonies, Gaseitsiwe Sento, that he had an urgent matter to attend to. Leipego did not return for the installation and was unavailable for comment by press time yesterday. Meanwhile, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Slumber Tsogwane, told the fully packed kgotla that government would not turn back from its decision to appoint Moapare. “There is no room for turning back. There will be no room for any appeal by anybody in as far as our decision to appoint Kgosi Moapare IV is concerned.  “The people have spoken and they have justified their reasons why Kgosi Moapare IV should rule them.” Meanwhile, Patson Dibotelo, the Hukuntsi Deputy District Commissioner, has slammed Leipego’s departure during Moapare’s installation.

“He left the VIPs who included the acting president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, two cabinet ministers, the chairman of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, President of the Customary Court of Appeal and other invited guests who turned up in large numbers,” Dibotelo said. “Unfortunately, I was not informed about Leipego’s pressing issues and his intention to leave in the middle of the programme because I would not have allowed this to happen. “The fact that he is a public servant dictates that the demands of the job come before his personal business.”