Morolong wants marijuana ban in Kgatleng
Tefo Pheage | Tuesday December 13, 2016 15:52
Marijuana is said to be the most commonly used illicit drug in the Kgatleng District with its use widespread among the both young and adults. The drug’s association with Kgatleng is largely ascribed to its unwavering support from the tribal leadership, more particularly the reigning Chief, Kgafela Kgafela II and his predecessor, Linchwe II – the father of Kgafela II.
“Honourable councillors, there is this perception that Kgatleng District is a free haven for the use of marijuana (motokwane). I appeal to the community at large to rid themselves of this perception that smoking motokwane in our district is condoned,” said Morolong in his official speech delivered yesterday at the full council meeting.
Kgafela II and his late father are on record justifying motokwane use, further advising that “mme o jewe ka thulaganyo (it must be smoked responsibly).
Morolong seems to be worried by this perception as highlighted from his speech, “the perception that smoking motokwane in our district is condoned is wrong thinking and a bad example to our children. As council chairperson, I strongly condemn the use of substances such as motokwane because in my opinion it is a gateway to hard drugs”.
Morolong continued that, “motokwane contributes to social ills that currently bedevil our community,” further adding that “our future generation is heavily hooked on motokwane at a very early age”.
“I call upon the leadership of this District to stand with me and fight against this scourge. It is up to us to create a future free of drugs that our kids can be proud of. We lose able bodied children and youth to these drugs,” he said.
Morolong urged parents and law enforcement officers to be vigilant and pro-active in fighting this scourge and called upon law enforcement agencies to find and remove these drug lords or drug peddlers from society.
According to him, if motokwane can be sold to school going children like it is the case now in Kgatleng, it shows that the community at large, including the political wing, tribal authority and parents have neglected their responsibility. The chief councillor made all these remarks in the presence of Bakgatla tribal leader representative, Kgosi Segale Linchwe and the area Member of Parliament, Isaac Davids.
The use of marijuana in Kgatleng has always been a topical issue discussed at various platforms including in the past and the tribal leadership, Linchwe and his son, Kgafela have spoken in support of the forbidden plant.
The two praised marijuana as a miracle herb with various health benefits, a boost to the economy, and to each and every person who develops a positive relationship with the plant.
“Motokwane re a oja, mme re oja ka thulaganyo. Gaona mathata, mathata ke batho (We smoke marijuana but we do so responsibly. The herb is not a problem, the problem lies with us the consumers),” Kgafela II said in 2013 in a kgotla meeting in Mochudi.
His father testified sometimes on the national television on The Eye programme that he is a loyal consumer of marijuana and said he usually feels relaxed, at home, happy and hungry after consuming the herb.