The copper-nickel mining town's civic leaders threw out a motion that sought to engage mediators to resolve the tension between the two parties. The mover of the motion, Lekang Mukokomani, entreated the house to request government, through parliament, to consider roping in the likes of Sir Ketumile Masire, the chairman of the House of Chiefs, the Council of Churches and other stakeholders to mediate in the standoff.Mukokomani said Bakgatla are part of this country and their chief was not appointed by government but installed by the tribe.
"Derecognising the appointed chief was not proper. We should not be happy when our fellow tribe is not happy with this decision. This is a sign of an unhealthy relationship between Bakgatla and government," he said. He argued that the likes of Masire are capable mediators as evidenced by his intervention in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo. He said Botswana should show other countries that she is capable of quelling her own fires. He feared that if not dealt with, the standoff could spread to other tribes.
