Church resumes worship in Mochudi

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Friday May 21, 2010 00:00

 

The relieved leader of the church, Bishop Seamogetswe Keoleletse confirmed that they have resumed normal business in Mochudi.  He said so far their services have not been disrupted. 

Keoleletse said the police are handling the cases in which two of their members were flogged. 

After the church was banished from Kgatleng the controversial Kgosi Sekai blamed the local pastors for their stubbornness and arrogance when he was interviewed by Mmegi sister paper, The Monitor. 

Sekai described the local pastor as a 'rebel' because she has gone against by-laws and the establishment tribal custom. 

Sekai said the church would not be allowed to worship in Gaborone until its leadership met with the Bakgatla paramount chief, Kgafela II. 

Members of the Mochudi church were forced to congregate in Gaborone after it was banished in Kgatleng.  However, the church was granted temporary relief following his court application against, Kgafela, his young brother Mmusi and morafe. 

The High Court ruled that Kgafela and his regiment do not have the legal authority to impose civil or criminal reprimand against the church. 

Justice Newman ordered  Kgafela to lay his hands off the Family of God Church in Kgatleng.  The judge ruled  that by banning of the Family Church of God from worshipping, Kgafela and his mophato acted wrongfully and unlawfully.  They were also violating the church's constitutional right to worship.

Kgafela and his subjects were ordered not to prevent the church from worshipping freely in Kgatleng. The judge said they do not have the legal authority to expel any of the church members from Kgatleng.

Lately, there has been a public outcry about the manner in which the Bakgatla are running their tribal affairs. Since Kgafela took over the paramount chief last year, he has made a number of controversial decisions.  He has also introduced public floggings. 

Even human rights activists are concerned that people in Kgatleng are having their rights violated, under the guise of culture. 

The government has also voiced concern about the manner in which Bakgatla tribal leaders are operating. The latest organisation to add its voice about the goings-on in Kgatleng is the Botswana Congress Party (BCP).  A BCP official has expressed concern about human rights violations in Kgatleng. 

The main issue of concern has been the flogging of members of the public when they have not been tried for any offence.

Judge David Newman ordered that the church should be allowed to worship without any disruption,  pending a final order which will be made next.

The Family of God Church was banished in Kgatleng last month after a confrontation with tribal leaders and members of the mephato.

Members of the fearsome regiment whipped two elders of the church.  The church was accused of making noise and operating at a local primary school without a council permit.