What�s next for Kgafela?

Tefo Pheage | Friday January 15, 2016 16:00

His relocation to Moruleng, South Africa, came at the time when he was facing charges of illegally flogging some of his subjects. Government had treated Kgafela as a fugitive ever since.  It was not before long in Moruleng that Kgafela and his royal uncle fell out, ending a two-decade relationship between Pilane and the royal family in Mochudi. It was Kgafela’s father, Kgosi Linchwe II who installed Pilane chief of Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela in Moruleng in 1995.

While it is still a subject of debate on what led to the fall out, some say that Kgafela was unimpressed with the handling of the finacial matters by his uncle. Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela in Moruleng have cunningly invested in mining and property. The tribe is considered one of the richest tribes in the North West province.

The fight between the two men became messy. At one point, Kgafela was physically removed from the tribe’s offices in Moruleng by supporters of Pilane. The two former friends went from one court to another in an effort to out do each other. Those who were fed up with the duo’s constant squabbles suggested that the war was not more about the soul of Bakgatla, but the leaders, selfish interests as they refused to compromise on several cases as suggested by the conveners of several meetings.

With the commission ruling that Kgafela has no claim to the chieftainship in South Africa, the question is what is next for the controversial leader? According to the Commission, Kgafela’s is not Kgosikgolo in Moruleng and is not wanted by the royal family in Moruleng. Moreover, his citizenship in South Africa is under investigation. This means that any case he launches henceforth will be met with resistance and questions as to what capacity he will be making such.

However, Kgafela still has an option to challenge the commission‘s report before it goes any further to complicate matters for him. He can approach the highest court of law in South Africa, but this will not come cheap. Some of his followers have already poured scorn on the report saying it is fake and should not be taken seriously. His spokesperson, Victor Modimakwane however told Mmegi that the battle is far from over.

But, the spokesperson for the Premier of South Africa’s North West Province, Supra Mahumapelo, Brian Setswambung, rubbished claims that the report was fake, saying it was signed by the Premier.

When asked on the way forward, Setswambung said “the report will be given to Bakgatla royal family to appreciate and decide the way foward”. He declined to comment on Kgosi Kgafela.

“The report is there. Read it. All the answers are ther., I do not want to make any comments about Kgafela or whoever is mentioned in the report right now,” he said. Should Kgafela decide to come back home, his homecoming will bring hope to several cases and problems he has left here in Botswana. His absence has undoubtedly crippled Bakgatla’s tribal administration developmental agenda and reconciliation efforts between the government and the tribe. It remains to be seen whether Kgosi Kgafela will continue to be paid from Muruleng where he was reported to be receiving a hefty salary.

Moreover, questions arise as to whether Bakgatla in Botswana will continue to receive financial assistance from Moruleng as it was the case before. Kgafela has repudiated the idea of being a member of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi and getting a salary from the government, saying he is not a civil servant.