Not Yet Uhuru for Lotlamoreng II
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday July 6, 2015 16:55
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Planning had advised Lotlamoreng to state the time, period and dates in which he wants leave. Lotlamoreng did not attend Ntlo ya Dikgosi’s last sittings, which ended last week.
According to a source, his leave would be approved after the Ministry had satisfied itself with all the requirements needed from the Kgosi.
“Lotlamoreng is still paid by the government. He was supposed to meet the Minister this week to bring all necessary things that the ministry wanted. But their meeting did not materialise because the Minister was engaged,” the source said.
Assistant Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Tshireletso Botlogile confirmed that although Lotlamoreng II had made up his mind to take a leave from Bogosi, the Ministry is still waiting for him to write a formal letter to them.
“The Ministry had communicated to him on what it wants from him. I can only say that his leave has not yet been approved until he informs us formally. I have heard that he met the Minister,” Tshireletso said.
“I had met with the minister before and told him about my intentions of taking a leave from Bogosi. I will give them the formal letter anytime with all the requirements they are looking for,” said Lotlamoreng.
He said his issue is different because he is applying for a leave from Bogosi and therefore the Minister wants dates of office vacation and the time when he would come back.
“My first letter did not have such information and he requested to include those. He also wanted the year in which I was installed as paramount chief for Barolong. I will meet him soon to finalise everything,” he said.
Lotlamoreng told The Monitor that his move would be known after he had finalised everything with the Minister.
It is an open secret that Lotlamoreng was taking leave from Bogosi to enter the political race. If he is granted leave of absence, the Barolong royal is expected to contest the Goodhope/Mabule constituency by-election under Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) ticket.
The post for MP seat at Goodhope/Mabule became vacant after its MP James Mathokgwane resigned and joined SPEDU at Selebi-Phikwe.
The Monitor has also learnt that all Botswana National Front (BNF) committees in the village, which makes up Goodhope/Mabule constituency, would be meeting at Goodhope over the weekend. BNF is an affiliate of the UDC and it would be holding its conference over the President holidays at Goodhope village.
Kgosi Lotlamoreng has been invited. Meanwhile, Lotlamoreng said he did not attend the last sitting of Ntlo ya Dikgosi because he had informed the chairperson of the house, Kgosi Puso Gaborone that was engaged in Goodhope/Mabule.