Mmutlane villagers retain power to decide chieftaincy heir

The application by Kgamane and Lekhutile to rescind the Lobatse High Court judgment of August 19, 2022, by Justice Modiri Letsididi, was dismissed with costs, meaning the villagers still hold the power to decide the heir to the village's bogosi.

The judgment declared, amongst other things that the decision of the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to appoint Lekhutile as Kgosana be reviewed and set aside; that the post of Kgosana of Mmutlane be declared vacant; and that the appointment of the Kgosana be referred back to the tribe for elders to undertake consultation with the community of the village to designate a Kgosana. Kgosana Lekhutile attempted to appeal the matter but reportedly took no action after filing grounds of appeal until his recent application with Kgamane to rescind the judgment.