Defiant Bangwato royals mobilise nation against Masisi

Bangwato royals have expressed their unhappiness at the Mokgweetsi Masisi-led government which they accuse of tribal oppression and dishonesty, among other things.

In a petition dated November 22, 2022 Bangwato express displeasure with the government over its attitude towards Gammangwato, as well as its treatment of the Bangwato bogosi.

“As the Elders and royals by birth, we despair more than ever before at what government is doing to our royalty,” the petition reads in part. The royals accuse the President of having harassed the Gammangwato chieftainship since the beginning of this year without justification.

“Yet government has never explained to us the reason for the harassment. Nor, as is the procedure, have we been told what wrongdoing our leaders have done,” the letter stated.

According to the Bangwato royalty, it all started with government pursuing Kgosikgolo

Seretse Khama Ian Khama, putting his life under threat following allegations that he had committed some crimes which allegations government did not share with his people who are his keepers and “parents.”

The petition points out that both the tribe and the royal house were completely left out of the equation. The petition which was handed to the District Commissioner in Serowe went further to suggest that the President has captured the Judiciary. “We are aware that recently, High Court Judge Justice Rannowane has revealed that the charges that have been made against Khama are fabrications meant to torture him for no reason. We are also aware of the instruction for our Kgosikgolo’s cases to not be listened to by people from the northern part of the country,” the Bangwato royalty said.

Further expressing skepticism about the independence of the judiciary, the royals said that from the recent developments, it is clear there can be no justice in any matter concerning the Gammangwato bogosi. The Gammangwato royals are also not happy with the removal of the Gammangwato regent, Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane from office without consultation with the tribe contrary to tribal culture and practice. “Now they are evicting Kgosi Kgamane from a community house built by Kgosi Khama III in about 1900. This Kgosi Khama III did with the Gammangwato community and this is way before the advent of a political administration in Botswana,” the letter said.

It goes on to say that, “We still recognize Kgosi Kgamane as our regent of Gammangwato. Before government found something to accuse him of and remove him from office, he had made known his intentions to retire and hand over the seat to the rightful successor,” said Gammangwato royalty.

They added that as the leaders, they are consulting among each other on who will succeed

Kgosi Kgamane. “We do not accept the removal of Kgosi

Kgamane from office because we do not know what wrong he has committed to warrant removal from office,” states the letter, which also notes that Gammangwato Kgosikgolo,

Ian Khama must participate in the decision of who succeeds Kgosi Kgamane. “We have reached the point where we should warn Mr Masisi to stop harassing Gammangwato. We warn the government to desist from disregarding the

Bogosi Act, as well as corrupt our consultation processes,” added the letter.

“Through this letter, we call upon the entire Bangwato tribe to stand up and bring discipline to Gammangwato and protect our bogosi. Further, we call upon the nation of Botswana to join us fight the oppression perpetrated on us by Mr Masisi.”