Kgafela, who currently fears for his life in South Africa (SA) after North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi reinstated Nyalala Kgafela as SA's Bakgatla ba Kgafela Kgosi, could even return to Botswana earlier. Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services, Moffat Lubinda, told The Monitor they have met with a delegation sent by Kgafela. “We met a delegation sent by Kgafela at the ministry last week. We have been tasked with ensuring that everything is done accordingly taking into consideration where the matter stood in the system and with those who were involved, so it may be closed cordially,” he said.
In October 2011, government derecognised Kgafela as Kgosi of the Bakgatla tribe, following the provisions of Section 15(b) of the Bogosi Act. He would in May 2012 depart to SA before a warrant of arrest was issued in his name in August 2012. This is after he failed to show up at court in a case in which he was accused of unlawful flogging. Former president Mokgweetsi Masisi vowed during the 2019 election campaign that he wouldn't rest until Kgafela was back home. Just before the 2019 elections, it was announced that the “government has formed a view that the de-recognition be reversed and lifted forthwith. This was done in pursuance of the provisions of Section 6 (2) of the Bogosi Act. In this regard, Government Notice No. 513 of 2011 has been revoked".
