Journalist on the run from Bakgatla mephato

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Thursday June 3, 2010 00:00

In an interview, Motshegwe revealed that last Friday night he was alerted that some members of a Bakgatla regiment wanted to flog him for publishing unsavoury comments against the Bakgatla royalty.

Motshegwe said he is accused of making comments on the state of affairs in Kgatleng regarding the floggings of people by the Madibelankwe regiment.

'I said in my Facebook that, 'in Mochudi life is good since December to date where people are beaten for drinking. They are still being flogged. I will have the last laugh on the 31st of  May at the regional magistrates court. Someone has been charged 15 times for assaulting Bakgatla. Madibelankwe get a wake-up call,' and then other people responded to my statement,' he said.

'I [also] said I wonder where they expect me to worship because I understand that my forbearers, just like others, fought for this territory, defending it against marauding Boers. 'So today I am being told that the land belongs to a certain people and if they insist that I can't worship in Kgatleng, then will they bring back to life my forbearers who died defending this land? I want them (forbearers) alive before I can leave Kgatleng,' he said.  He explained that afterwards, as is commonplace on Facebook, some people commented on his statement. 'The statements were not made by me ... so I will not take responsibility for them,' said Motshegwe.

The Ya Rona FM journalist said he realised that his life was in danger when last weekend he overheard some Madibelankwe member on patrol pointing out that they know where he stays and he will come for him.

Motshegwe said he ran to Gaborone where he stays in lodges whilst waiting for the matter to be resolved. 'I went to Mochudi police to seek protection but I was told that there was no threat to my life, hence they could not do that,' said Motshegwe. Kgosi Sekai, the Kgatleng deputy chief, said though he is not competent on how Facebook works, they had been made aware that Motshegwe disrespected the Bakgatla royalty on the social network site.

'One member of a regiment came with a printout that detailed Motshegwe's messages on Facebook where there was some disturbing words used against the chieftaincy. It is true that word is out that he must appear before lekgotla (traditional court) with his parents so that he can explain himself. There is no reason for him to be running away because no one will flog him, unless if after the trial at kgotla, he is found guilty of offending the chieftaincy,' said Sekai.

On the other hand Mochudi Police Station commander, superintendent Onneetse Gagogosha said they sent an officer to accompany Motshegwe to Kgosi Sekai to find out if indeed the former's life was in danger. 'We realised there was no threat to his life, especially since Kgosi Sekai said he wanted Motshegwe to come to his kgotla with his parents,' said the officer.