18 Mar 2025

The existing court order that bars bogosi in Bobirwa and the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs from appointing a headman of record (kgosana) or holding consultations regarding the vacant post at Mabolwe, ties the hands of authorities from replacing the late kgosi Join Ngala.

The late Kgosi Ngala, 78 then, took government to court after his contract was not renewed when it elapsed in September 2020. The matter dragged on from September 2020 until kgosi Ngala died three years later. Since his death, the village has been operating their traditional affairs without a substantive kgosi, with kgosi Isaya Madema of Semolale presiding on their pressing issues.

In addition to Mabolwe and his village of Semolale, Kgosi Madema also presides over traditional matters in Gobojango where Kgosi Keabetswe Mokgethi is currently on suspension on alleged forgery.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting by area Member of Parliament in Mabolwe yesterday, Kgosi Joel Masilo told residents of the village that his office was barred from addressing their calls for replacing the late Kgosi Ngala due to the prevailing court order.

“Our hands are tied as the court order is still in effect, but I sought clarification and guidance from our parent ministry while also informing them about your situation here,” Kgosi Joel said.

He pleaded that the matter be resolved expeditiously as it put a strain on Kgosi Madema who is now presiding over three villages, a task deemed overwhelming to a kgosi who operates without an official vehicle.

“This is a legal matter yet to be resolved… the state counsel and the late kgosi’s legal representative have to finalise this matter and advise the ministry on the next course of action since the complainant is, unfortunately, no more,” Kgosi Joel said.

Meanwhile, Kgosi Joel implored mephato to continue discharging their community policing duties with dedication, as when they first assumed their duties responding to the then rampant cross-border livestock rustling. It is reported that some members of mephato are warring over allowances and control of the traditional community policing groups.

“You volunteered upon realising that you were losing your livestock to cross-border theft,” Kgosi Joel said and added that mephato executed some immense duties.

He said that some members of mephato in Gobojango who had threatened to and actually withdrew from mephato have since taken up their positions after being addressed.

“We held heart-to-heart talks with them and reminded them of the importance of their selfless volunteerism when we resuscitated mephato at a time when there was no stipend… they understood us and took up their roles,” he said.

MP for the area, Mr Taolo Lucas rallied mephato, dikgosi and all the stakeholders into ironing out the existing differences saying no ego should be bruised in the process.

“If mephato are still considered to be under Ipelegeng, which is under the ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, then the portfolio minister has been speaking unequivocally about Ipelegeng workers earning P2 500 upon completion of the processes.  This means mephato, too, will earn the P2 500 in question,” MP Lucas said.

He called for the ministries of State President, Local Government and Traditional Affairs and Lands and Agriculture to formulate regulations that will guide mephato because in his view, “without regulations anyone can do as they please”. ENDS