ROYAL BATTLE Metlhaeno wants Kgosi Malope II to step down
Bangwaketse still fighting over tribe’s chieftaincy Kgotla meeting minutes used against Metlhaeno
The recent action taken before the Bangwaketse main Kgotla to read the minutes of a meeting purportedly from the time Kgosi Seepapitso IV endorsed Kgosi Malope II as the chief, has sparked controversy. This week, Metlhaeno Gaseitsewe, son of Bonolo Gaseitsewe and a nephew of the Gaseitsewe family, stated that Kgosi Malope II should retire to make way for the rightful Bangwaketse chieftaincy heir.
“Re tshwanetse go itse gore Kgosi e teng e ya tshela,”
Metlhaeno said, emphasising that the rightful heir is still alive.
Metlhaeno argues that when Leema, Seepapitso IV’s eldest son, was bedridden due to a stroke, he already had a son who should have been the rightful heir, not Kgosi Malope II. He reveals that even if Leema’s son is not considered for the chieftaincy due to his parents not being married, Seepapitso IV still had another child named Weno, who is the rightful Bangwaketse chief.
“The time Leema was sick, he was dependent on Kgosi Malope II, he paid his bills and was never made aware of the major decision to install Kgosi Malope ll as kgosi. “His son was then taken away into hiding after his (Leema’s) passing, and the son had never been mentioned and his chieftaincy name (leina la maraelelo) was never used,” Metlhaeno says.
What really shocked Metlhaeno to the core was that Kgosi Malope II was installed in power, draped in a leopard skin, while his elder brother was still alive, which was seen as disrespectful. Expressing his discontent, Metlhaeno recently wrote a letter to Kgosi
Malope II, stating that he has no royal blood. He asserts that Kgosi Malope II is an uncle (Rangwane) to Leema’s son, and should have agreed to temporarily hold the chieftaincy seat for Leema’s son, rather than permanently occupying it.
“All this should haunt Kgosi Malope II,” expressed Metlhaeno. When reading from the minutes that were taken from a Kgotla meeting by Seepapitso IV which was held on September 26, 2007, Deputy Paramount Chief, Kebapetse Telekelo said Seepapitso IV complained about work being slow in the office after Kgosi
Makaba’s passing, and that no one should express interest to replace Kgosi Makaba. He then introduced his son Kgosi Malope II and said that he should succeed him, as Bangwaketse Paramount Chief, as Leema was bedridden at the time. Kgosi Telekelo further criticised Metlhaeno, saying he is going against the late Seepapitso IV’s words, who is brother to his mother and therefore his (Metlhaeno’s) uncle. When given the opportunity to speak with The Midweek Sun,
the Concerned Group, composed of elderly villagers who frequently voice their opinions about different issues in the village, expressed disappointment at being called “witches” (baloi). They also denounced the use of derogatory language at the Kgotla and advised chiefs to refrain from using insulting words during meetings. Taolo Moshaga, who recently disassociated himself from the Concerned Group, stated during an interview this week that Dikgosi dislike Kgosi Malope II, as they fail to provide him with objective advice. “I advocate for freedom of expression (mmualebe o a bo a bua la gagwe...) As an advocate for freedom of expression, all groups, individuals, and societies should be given a voice at the Kgotla.
The people who come to speak should be listened to, they are critical and
very important,” he said