The Deception

Previously, we noted that although bogwera had been routinely practised amongst the Bakwena without any interference from the colonial regime for decades, while police investigations had uncovered only one case of assault and another firm allegation of attempted coerced recruitment (the alleged victim had escaped) during the 1931 initiation school; in May of 1931 Bechuanaland’s Resident Commissioner, Charles Rey, had nonetheless succeeded in using an exaggerated account of the dangers supposedly posed by this "new development" to convince the Colonial and Dominions Secretary, Sidney Webb, to finally approve an order to banish Kgosi Sebele II