Molomo delivers report on Bobirwa Bogosi

Talking to the media shortly after delivering the report last Friday, the chairman of the taskforce, former Speaker of the national Assembly Ray Molomo, said he personally saw nothing wrong with making it public but acknowledged that it was up to the government to decide.

Molomo also deferred to the government when he was asked if Babirwa should expect to have a new chief.

However, he said though the timeframe was limited, wading into bogosi jwa Babirwa was not such a complicated matter and the taskforce had solved the puzzle with relative ease, inspite of bogosi itself being a complex affair.

'We are very satisfied with our findings because Babirwa told us the truth,' he said. 'We have made our recommendations, but it is up to the minister to choose what is best for the people of Bobirwa and the country.'

Molomo's taskforce was made up of former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs Kingsley Sebele,  academic Dr Rodgers Molefhi, and member of the Ngwato royal family Shaw Mokgadi, among others. It sat for consultations in the Bobirwa villages of Bobonong, Tsetsebjwe, Mathathathane, Molalatau, Gobojango and Semolale, as well as in Gaborone where many Babirwa are domiciled.

The taskforce was appointed after the legitimacy of incumbent chief, Kgosi Mmirwa Malema, became controversial after being challenged by two headmen of arbitration, Onketetse Serumula and Adam Masilo. Meanwhile, local government minister Siele says he will study the report before deciding whether or not to make it public. 'a ke batle go sugela ngwana thari mpeng (I don't want to get ahead of myself),' he told The Monitor. 'I do not know the contents of the report. It will depend.'

Nonetheless, the minister said Botswana was besieged by endless chieftaincy claims, most of which were motivated by self-aggrandisement.  'You will understand that in our country, chiefs are remunerated,' Siele said.

'It is an opportunity for wealth accumulation. The post also goes with status, hence the endless fights.' As he spoke to The Monitor, he said he was about to leave for Kang to attend to another chieftaincy dispute and that a similar controversy had arisen in the Chobe.