Ratholo chieftainship dispute escalates
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday September 13, 2017 16:44
In the application, Direkileng cited the Attorney General (on behalf of the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Slumber Tsogwane), and Mangadi as first and second respondents respectively.
Tsogwane appointed Mangadi as Ratholo chief in June 2017 amidst murmurs and opposition from some sections of the village residents who said he was not the rightful heir.
Direkileng, whose name was recommended to the Director of Tribal Administration in March 2015 for the position of Headman of Record for Ratholo village and later withdrawn without his or the community’s knowledge, has now applied to the High Court seeking an order for Tsogwane to reverse his decision to appoint Mangadi.
In his filing notice, the applicant through his attorney, Yul Shara Moncho is seeking an order calling upon Tsogwane to show cause why his decision to appoint Mangadi to the post of Ratholo Kgosi should not be reviewed, corrected and set aside, declaring the applicant the rightful appointee to the position.
Direkileng also wants the minister to dispatch within 14 days of receipt of this notice to the Registrar, the minutes of the various kgotla meetings of delegations that dealt with the Ratholo chieftainship appointment and all relevant documents in relation to the appointment of the second respondent, to wit, but not limited to Kgosi Ntebele’s meeting, Kgosi Kebailele’s delegation, the subsequent Palapye meeting; the March 25, 2015 feedback kgotla meeting, Kgosi Serogola Seretse’s meeting of the end of December 2015, Kgosi Motshegare’s delegation meeting of August 23, 2016, the report upon which the minister made his decision, together with the reasons for the decision and that of the Kgotla announcement by ministry officials that Mangadi had been appointed to the post of Ratholo chief.
In the supporting affidavit, Direkileng said that he is of the sixth generation in the lineage of the village’s bogosi.
“The first chief was Kgosi Mathewane, who was succeeded by his son, Kgosi Setlhabi, who in turn was succeeded by his son, Kgosi Direkileng. Direkileng’s son, Boitshepo succeeded him. His son, Kgosi Tshupelo, my father who died in 1999, also succeeded Boitshepo. I am next in succession,” stated Direkileng.
He explained that following his father’s death, he did not ascend to the throne, as he was still young at 25. He pointed out that Molefe Mangadi, a regent and retired police officer was appointed to hold the fort for him.
“But after his death in 2012, a chief from a neighbouring village has been acting as Ratholo chief awaiting the formal appointment by the first respondent.”
He said a delegation, which was sent by Bangwato regent, Sediegeng Kgamane to look into the issue of chieftaincy in Ratholo reported back to the community on March 25, 2015 that he has been selected as the chief and that his name was sent to the minister for processing the appointment.
Direkileng said although a few people contested his recommendation, Kgamane had assured the tribe that his name has been sent to the minister. He stated that of the six wards in the village, Ratholo, Bogopa and Botalaote supported his nomination whilst Moipei, Mangadi wards supported the second respondent. Mokaanyane ward was divided as others recommended him whilst others wanted Oriah Jordan Phukula’s name to be submitted to the minister.
He further said he is disgruntled by Mangadi’s appointment because he was appointed despite the repeated resolutions by different delegations tasked to look into the Ratholo bogosi dispute. The matter is set for October 13, 2017 before Lobatse High Court judge, Abednego Tafa.