Kgafela snubs minister Makgatho-Malesu

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Friday October 8, 2010 00:00

Kgosi Kgafela is currently facing criminal charges alongside his brother Mmusi, Kgosi Sekai and other members their tribal regiments for allegedly assaulting people. Infact, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has been trying - in vain, so far - to get Kgafela II in prison to protect the public from his switches.

However, Kgosi Kgafela has never hidden his disappointment with Government for not coming to his rescue when the DPP levelled several criminal charges against him and his people. The cases are still ongoing.

The government's position is that the law must take its course. To that end, the Attorney General once released a statement urging anyone assaulted by the Kgosi's regiments to report the matter to the police.

President Ian Khama, who is seized with discipline, has also previously hit at Kgafela's leadership style in an interview on Duma FM, saying any discipline ought to be done within the confines of the law.

The Deputy Paramount Chief of Bakgatla, Kgosi Bana Sekai, has confirmed that Kgosi Kgafela II was busy in his office as Minister Makgato-Malesu addressed a the Kgotla meeting, which ran from 10am to 1230 pm.

Kgosi Kgafela's two brothers, Mmusi and Bakgatle, who are held in reverence in Kgatla custom and are addressed as Barena, also stayed away from their Kgotla. However, the other Bakgatla traditional leaders, among them Kgosi Sekai, Kgosi Segale and junior chiefs, were present. Significantly, those who attended are on the government payroll. Kgosi Kgafela's media crew was seen recording the Kgotla meeting on video. Kgosi Kgafela is not employed under the Department of Tribal Administration and is consequently not legally bound to be at the Kgotla to receive or welcome state guests, though protocol would dictate that he does that.

The Bakgatla Sovereign was not available for comment at the time of going to press.

The Kgotla meeting addressed by the Minister of Trade failed to attract a good attendance, a situation Kgosi Sekai has attributed to the fact that the meeting was held during the week. At the Kgotla meeting, Kgosi Sekai told Minister Makgato-Malesu that the whip continues to crack on ill-disciplined people in Kgatleng. Sekai said they also confiscate Chibuku and other beer sold in homes, masimo and cattle posts because such places should not be turned into shebeens.