Batawana inquire about Wayeyi meeting with govt
Tefo Pheage | Friday February 19, 2016 18:00
The tribal wars are so serious that others have decided to seek President Ian Khama’s intervention to resolve the burning issues. Bambukushu have written a letter to Khama over their recognition and the pending Wayeyi recognition.
The Wayeyi are in a bitter battle with the government over their recognition and membership in the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi and say they remain hopeful that the government will recognise their chieftainship in March. However Batawana and Banbukushu are not happy with this flirtation between the government and Wayeyi. They say they want a wholesale remedy of Ngamiland tribal issues and not a peacemeal approach to the issues as has been the case. This follows the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Slumber Tsogwane’s December 2015 consultation meetings in Gumare, where he told the Wayeyi that consultations in the matter for their recognition as a tribe have been completed.
Tsogwane told the meeting that the Bogosi Act of 2008 influenced the issue of recognition of Wayeyi, which was an amendment to the former act. He added that the issue has since been handed to the Attorney General for legal advice before being passed to Cabinet for a final verdict. Mmegi is informed that Bayeyi are highly likely to be victorious.
Bambukushu have penned a petition to Khama while Batawana are demanding answers over this meeting.
The chairperson of Wayeyi Chieftainship Council, Ditando Gceba told Mmegi that they are aware of the Batawana delegation’s pending meeting with Tsogwane but are yet to hear of the petition to Khama. Gceba decried that the two tribes’ pursuit is unfortunate as he believes that they are all fighting for a common cause. “We really do not know why they have issues with our recognition and we are yet to hear their reasons because none has been advanced so far,” he said.
The Batawana chief who is also the Member of Parliament for Maun West, Kgosi Tawana Moremi said he is aware of a delegation that will be meeting the minister.
“It is true that I have met a delegation of Batawana who told me that they would like to meet the minister of Local Government and Rural Development over several issues but particularly the reasons over his meeting with Wayeyi,” said Moremi.
Tsogwane could not be reached for comment but assistant minister Botlogile Tshireletso said they have heard that Batawana want to meet with them. “We are ready to listen to what they have (sic),” said Tshireletso.