Floggings stop in Kgatleng as royals face court

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Wednesday June 16, 2010 00:00

 

A number of Bakgatla royals, Kgafela Kgafela and Kgafela Mmusi are facing charges over some of the alleged floggings. There have been a number of reports on the alleged floggings which caused a public outcry. Members of a Mochudi drama group were flogged for singing the Sekgatla initiation songs during one of their performances. Later a 56 year-old man, Tselapedi Mooketsi was reportedly subjected to a severe beating at the Mochudi kgotla and his picture splashed in local newspapers, showing his back dripping with blood.

Earlier this year, there were reports that during the festive season a number of people in Kgatleng were whipped by members of the mophato. Their alleged offence was drinking alcohol before the approved time.  Some of the victims were allegedly dragged from their homes and whipped.  This brutal punishment was even extended to the church. Two members of a Mochudi church were also flogged and the assault was reported to the police.  The Attorney General, Athaliah Molokomme tried to intervene and set out guidelines as to when corporal punishment should be applied. Even the Minister of Justice,  Ndelu Seretse held a meeting with the Kgatleng tribal leaders over this matter.  

But the floggings continued unabated. The tribal leaders vowed that they were going to continue to apply this form of punishment.President Ian Khama also expressed concern about the manner in which corporal punishment was being applied in Kgatleng and appealed to those who have been flogged to report to the police. The cases were filed by some of the people who have been flogged since the beatings started.  When Kgafela appeared in court with the other accused persons, the prosecution indicated that it would make an application for the suspects to stop the floggings.

Kgafela, Mmusi and Linchwe are accused alongside Bogopa Lenchwe (36), Christopher Oni Tshige (39), Mmolotsi Ntswetswe (34), Baboloki Richard Pilane (32), Bathusi Ralefala (33), James Mollowakgotla (42), Kabelo Lentswe (26), Modisagae Matshome (30), Kabelo Mooketsi (32), Kgamanyane Radikolo (41), Nthithane Segwati (51) and Thipe Segwati (51).