Khwai Kgosi Bans Vocal Tribesmen From Kgotla
Boniface Keakabetse | Monday June 27, 2016 15:17
Kgosi Merafe Amos of Khwai allegedly banned 13 residents from participating and attending Kgotla meetings with effect from March 10, 2016. Merafe further instructed that the group should never receive any services at the Kgotla. The incident apparently happened at a Kgotla meeting which was addressing Khwai Development Trust (KDT) issues in Khwai. The Kgosi allegedly instructed that the group would not participate in that meeting where important issues pertaining to multimillion pula trusts were on the agenda.
The group has since filed a complaint in a worded letter addressed to the regent of the Batawana paramount chief, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi. The group stated in the letter that they are being punished as they are accused of belittling Kgosi Amos. “The reason for our removal from the Kgotla was that there were negative reports about Mr. Merafe Amos lavelled at us. We are said to have belittled Mr. Amos,” read the letter in part.
The group stated that they were denied an opportunity to state their case as there was no disciplinary hearing called before the order was issued. They stated that the allegations were baseless and did not warrant such a serious punishment which they say infringed on their rights as community members.
In the letter whose receipt has been confirmed by Kgosi Kealetile Moremi, the group makes disparaging accusations saying their removal had to do with commercial interests connected to the operation of KDT. They alleged that the chief who is an ex-officio member of KDT wanted to use his powers to influence the board to allocate some tourism camping sites leased to the trusts to a private company owned by certain villagers.
“Our problem is that we did not agree to the proposal as we believe the camping sites are the backbone of the trusts business,” stated the letter.
“There were no allocation guidelines and procedures for these campsites and there was generally lack of information on their allocation.”
The group further accused Amos of absenteeism from work and utter abuse of office saying he never took action against his father who someday fought at the Kgotla. Moreover, alleged the group, Amos’ mother has a tendency of insulting residents during Kgotla meetings, but the chief never took any action against her.
Amos has however denied knowledge of the issue and would not take further questions on the matter.
Kgosi Moremi revealed that she has setup of a committee comprising of Dikgosi to investigate the issue.
The Monitor has it on good authority that the conflict is caused by battle for control of the money-spinning KDT. It has also emerged that there was an ensuing chieftainship war with some section of the Khwai community allegedly feeling that Kgosi Amos has to abdicate the chieftainship for the children of Kwere Seriri - the famous pioneer who founded the village. Khwai residents originate inside Moremi Game Reserve.