The move followed Kgosi Kgafela Kgafela's instruction that his headmen should not allow any government minister to address meetings in their dikgotla until government accepts a request by the Bakgatla leadership to meet and discuss issues of concern between the parties. Paramount among the issues is that of the country's Constitution, which he has termed rogue, effectively declaring the government illegitimate. It is this issue in particular that has created the bad blood between Bakgatla and the government.
Kgafela has maintained that he has a right and a duty, as Bakgatla Kgosi, to ensure order in his jurisdiction. That includes lashing wayward people. Government, on the other hand, believes that Kgafela has no right to administer corporal punishment - or at least without due process. The courts, on the basis of the Constitution of the country, have agreed with government. The tone of the letter that Kgosi Kgafela wrote to the District Commissioner (as appears in part on page 3 of this publication) is worrisome. Through it, Kgafela expresses his frustration at what he believes is government's refusal to listen to him and its determination to punish and humiliate him.
