Molapowabojang Chieftainship dispute resolved

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Wednesday October 20, 2010 00:00

 

In a meeting that was expected to evoke emotions, Minister of Local Government, Lebonaamang Mokalake reserved a ruling though it was clear from discussions, and the mood of the crowd that they wanted Kedirile Letshabo to lead them. The clash between the Letshabo and Ratsoma families will finally be settled when the minister communicates his ruling in writing in the near future.

According to information shared with the tribe, the village bogosi has always been undisputed under the Letshabo family until the death of Aubrey Letshabo in 2006. Jerry Letshabo told the meeting that the family agreed that Kedirile Letshabo should take over, but since he was interested in pursuing his career as a teacher, someone could act on his behalf. Jerry said that Michael Ratsoma and another family member were nominated to inform Kgosikgolo Seepapitso that Kedirile Letshabo was the rightful heir but wanted to continue with his teaching career until he would be ready.

However, he said, Ratsoma delayed the process until Kgosi Seepapitso came to the village to install him as chief, to everybody's surprise. He accused Ratsoma of applying underhand tactics to get the position for himself. He added that Ratsoma was told during his installation that he was tshwarelela (hold forte) for someone and that he should step down when the rightful heir is ready to take over. He said at that installation the late Kgosi Seepapitso threatened any dissenting voices, even threatening to send some people to jail.

For his part Ratsoma said that he was never told during his installation that he was acting in someone's position. He said that he has no problem with talking to his cousins about the position but insisted that he is not acting on anybody's behalf because he was never informed about that.

However, a letter from the Ministry of Local Government was produced in the Kgotla, which stated that he was appointed to hold someone's forte. The letter nullified the one written earlier in 2007 that stated that he was employed as a permanent and pensionable civil servant. Ratsoma denied seeing the 2008 letter, saying he only saw it yesterday invoking public murmurs. It was clear that the morafe wanted Kedirile Letshabo as their Kgosi. Ratsoma accused Jerry of being a double-edged sword saying he is the cause of all the troubles between the two families. He threatened to spill the beans on Jerry's character but restrained himself.

Minister Mokalake said that the 2008 letter was addressed to Kgosi Seepapitso so that he could pass it to him. He even apologised to Ratsoma saying whatever happened to the letter on its route to the Molapowabojang Kgotla was regrettable. He said the minutes from the installation event show that Seepapitso told the morafe that Ratsoma was holding forte for Kedirile and that he must step down when the owner indicates he is ready to lead his people. Apparently getting fed up with the arguments in the Kgotla, Mokalake demanded to see the people who were opposed to Kedirile's appointment but none raised their hands. He then demanded answers from Ratsoma on what his position was since all evidence showed that he was holding someone else's forte.

Kedirile Letshabo told the gathering that his family was tossed from pillar to post between the office of the Kgosikgolo in Kanye and Ratsoma in Molapowabojang. 'On several occasions we sought audience from Kgosikgolo but he insisted that he could only listen to us in the presence of Ratsoma but the latter on several occasions avoided meeting with us.

Ratsoma even said that there was nothing he could do because the Kgosikgolo installed him. Our appointments with Ratsoma did not bear any result for about three times before we went to seek the intervention of the Tribal Administration Headquarters and subsequently the minister,' he said. He told Ratsoma to his face that he must step down. 'Rra, ke tsile. Ke tsile (Sir I'm here I have arrived),'  he said to the applause of the crowd.

Kgosikgolo Malope Gaseitsiwe of Bangwaketse denied allegations that he turned down the Letshabo family. He said that he appealed to the two families to sit down and discuss transfer of power as a family. He said that they also know that Kedirile is the rightful heir of Molapowabojang bogosi and there is no dispute about it.