Justice Reuben Lekorwe of the Lobatse High Court reviewed the minister's decision calling it flawed after residents complained. The residents had raised complaints that a Kgosana was appointed and later recognised by the minister without them being consulted and going against their preferred candidate. The royal family and residents of the village, which is situated in the Tswapong constituency, have been tussling over the rightful heir to the Monneng ward chieftainship. The ward has pitted the royal family against each other over the throne. The throne is currently held by Patson Maele Pompe III while the claimant to the throne is Oitsile Tau Maele. In the mix is the approved appointment of Boiki Lesotho, holding the fort for the Maele Pompe III following a recommendation from the Bamangwato Tribal Administration.
It is the minister's decision or the recognition that the residents made an application to the court. Now, Justice Lekorwe has given the 81 residents led by the claimant to the throne, Tau Maele, a chance to choose their own preferred Headman of Arbitration. In the judgment issued on Friday, he explained that the recognition of Maele Pompe III by the minister followed a flawed process of consultation and it was therefore reviewable. "The decision of the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to appoint Patson Maele Pompe III, or any other person holding the fort for him, as Kgosana of Monneng Ward, Goo-Tau Village is hereby reviewed and set aside. "The issue of appointment of Kgosana of Monneng ward, Goo-Tau is remitted to the Kgosi or the relevant Tribal Leader of Goo-Tau Village to commence the process of designation of the Kgosana either through elections of other democratic means in accordance with the Bogosi Act," Justice Lekorwe said.
