Govt u-turns on Kgafela, Sekai
Tefo Pheage | Wednesday April 27, 2016 18:00
The government will also revoke Kgafela’s derecognition that was effected some years back following bitter clashes with the state.
Bakgatla last year appointed a committee to negotiate on behalf of their chief and his deputy who had fallen out with the government. The committee raised about three points with the government. They wanted the government to withdraw the warrant of arrest on Kgafela, backtrack on derecognising Kgafela and renew his deputy, Linchwe’s contract. The two also face criminal changes which they still have to answer for.
Following that Khama appointed a taskforce on the Bakgatla chieftainship led by Kgosi Malope II on September 2014. The taskforce team interacted with Kgafela II, Bakgatla and other interested groups to get their views on how the impasse between the government and Bakgatla could be resolved.
Delivering the report to Bakgatla yesterday in Mochudi at the main kgotla, Tsogwane revealed that they have reached an agreement but are still struggling with the law aspect. “As you may be aware the law is the law and due process has to be followed when you are dealing with the law, the law does not negotiate and you do not negotiate out of the law,” he said.
Tsogwane said had it not been for the law and the charges laid out against the duo, everything would have run smoothly.
Tsogwane said Kgafela and President Khama are in constant discussions, further adding that Kgafela recently wrote a letter to Khama on a number of issues. “The letter was delivered to Khama by one Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi of Bafokeng which the President will respond to in two weeks,” Tsogwane said but could not divulge the contents of the said letter.
Tsogwane revealed that he has also been in constant communication with Linchwe whom he said would soon resume his duties. “Like Kgafela, Sekai has some issues and currently faces some criminal charges. It is these cases that are impeding progress, all will be back to normal once the cases are over.”
With regards to Kgafela’s warrant of arrest, he assured Bakgatla that the warrant does not mean one would be arrested. “If you avail yourself to the authorities you will not be arrested and arresting Kgafela is not our priority but like I said, the law is the law and if you are charged it doesn’t mean you have been found guilty,” Tsogwane responded.
He said one complex issue is that of Kgafela’s dual citizenship, which he said they are still discussing with him. “We are still negotiating, as you may be aware we do not have dual citizenship in Botswana and we are in discussions over that as well with relevant authorities,” he said.
In response, Bakgatla urged government to speed up negotiations further, saying they do not have any reason to believe the minister is not telling the truth.
One of the Bakgatla royals, Kgosi Mothibe Linchwe called for calm and peace among the royal families saying it is only through living peacefully that Bakgatla can experience the peace they long for.
“We need Kgafela and Sekai, that is a fact and to these men I say we need to come together and work as a team for the benefit of the tribe. We need to iron out our differences, even myself and Sekai,” he said.