Palla Road residents petition Khama over �rigged elections�

Tefo Pheage | Wednesday December 21, 2016 23:24

 

In a letter written to the minister and copied to Khama, the trio, Kiteo Mangope, Mogae Pusoetsile and Modiri Otsetswe, who were contesting for the elections, are complaining that a recently held election of the village’s leader, was rigged in favour of a soldier friend who did not even show interest in contesting for the elections.

The area MP, Botlhogile Tshireletso told Mmegi in a brief interview that she has also received a copy of the letter which she understand has also been delivered to Tsogwane.

“It is alleged that there were a series of irregularities in the election process. I do not want to be involved as a minister and MP, so I have decided to leave the matter to the minister,” she said, further adding that if the allegations are true it will be very unfortunate.

One of the petitioners, Mangope, told Mmegi that since the death of the village leader, Mogakolodi Mpaesele in 2013, there has been numerous Kgotla meetings where the consensus was that because the Palla Road Bgosi is not hereditary, it be decided by a vote.

“I, together with other two residents showed interest in the position, but were shocked of an order from Mahalapye that each ward from the three wards nominate one person. We obliged, but learnt that the names are now four with two contestants from another ward. This anomaly was not explained by the facilitators who we have been continuously questioning their legitimacy,” he said.

He continued that the elections overseers had roped in one Moses Mpaesele, a soldier stationed at Thebephatshwa who did not even have interest in the election.

“He was not even present during the elections time and was roped in by one of Dikgosana who he is related to,” he said.

The trio’s letter further says that what was more shocking during the elections was that only people above 50 years by age were eligible to vote leaving multitudes sidelined as disgruntled spectators.

Speaking to Mmegi, Palla Road tribal master from Mahalapye Duncan Segodi said they have been instructed by the Bangwato bogosi leadership to phase out elections systems within bogosi. “Our position is that this is not politics. I do not want to make any comments on the history of that bogosi but we are encouraging lineage systems. I have also been copied that letter and I do not want to get into details,” he said.

Tsogwane told Mmegi that consensus is key. “If people make an agreement over how they are going to run their bogosi, we do not have any problem. People should know and document their history,” he said.

The minister continued that they will look into the matter , but revealed that they have not as the ministry been informed of any deal from Bangwato to phase out elections within their Bogosi.

 “We have not been informed about that. Of course we discourage elections because they divide people but that doesn’t mean it is wrong to agree on that as people. Consensus is key,” he said.