SUSPEND MINISTER AUTLWETSE
▶ ‘He gathered over 120 people, fed them’ ▶ ‘Do to him what was done to Lelatisitswe’ ▶ Radio man Justice Gaolekwe also wants action ▶ Autlwetse accused of blatant favouritism
Disgruntled residents of Mmutlane are accusing the government of practising double standards in the village’s dispute over Bogosi.
They are not pleased with Assistant Minister of Local Government Kgotla Autlwetse, whom they accuse of installing Ketlaareng Lekhutlile as Chief despite their disapproval.
In fact, Autlwetse is being accused of doing Lekhutlile favours because of their personal relations.
In a document seen by this publication, the disgruntled members say Lekhutlile was installed in May this year at a time when gatherings were prohibited under the State of Emergency (SOE).
“Following the suspension of Assistant Minister of Health, Honourable Lelatisitswe after he held an illegal gathering during the SOE, one thought the same would happen to Assistant Minister of Local Government, Honourable Autlwetse,” the residents said in the document. The people argue that Autlwetse spearheaded illegal kgotla meetings at the village by holding an inauguration of Kgosi Lekhutlile during the SOE. “All laws governing the SOE were violated, the register for attendees shows that there were at least 120 people who attended the event and it took the whole day exceeding the stipulated two hours.”
Autlwetse is also accused of ignoring and turning a deaf ear to those against having Lekhutlile as village chief. They accuse the Minister of using his position to push personal agendas.
“We heard him during the event saying he is a personal friend to Lekhutlile. We are shocked that government never consulted us on this matter. “We have taken the matter to court. It will be heard this week. We wonder why government is seemingly interested in this issue. Bogosi issues are better resolved by residents, not government.” Agreeing with disgruntled villagers, another resident of Mmutlane, Justice Gaolekwe, a renowned former radio presenter, said they are not happy with Autlwetse.
“We really wonder why the rush, they should have waited, this matter of Lekhutlile being appointed Kgosi is before the courts of law and government is a respondent on the case. They should have waited until all is resolved now the village is divided,” Gaolekwe said.
Gaolekwe said that in the same way that Assistant Minister Sethomo Lelatisitswe was suspended for violating Covid-19 health protocols by attending his family’s tombstone unveiling, Autlwetse should have also faced the music. “There was even food served at the event and you will recall how ravaging Covid-19 was at that time,” Gaolekwe added. Gaolekwe noted that there was a petition submitted to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in August 2020 pleading for help.
The petition accused ‘outsiders’ and high ranking officials from Serowe, and Shoshong villages of interference.
It also intimated that the Bamangwato Tribal Authority has made a big mistake by accepting Lekhutlile as Mmutlane chief. “We beg your office to stop all that is happening. We have a stranger labelling herself as Kgosi. Our village is now up in arms over this issue, there is no peace,” read the petition. When reached, Autlwetse said he will not discuss the matter as it is still before the courts of law.
“It will not be procedural of me to respond at this point,” Autlwetse said.