It’s just sibling rivalry, says lawyer

Attorney Wycliffe Mothuloe has accused his cousin, Kgafela Kgafela, the paramount chief of Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela Community ( BBK), of being a recipient of some of the funds Kgafela claims went missing from the community trust fund.

Mothuloe made the claim after The Citizen asked Mothuloe about the missing R49 million, already the subject of a police investigation.

The paramount chief has pointed a finger at Mothuloe and his uncle, Nyalala Pilane, a chief in the same community.

Responding to allegations against him, Mothuloe said the accusations were “sibling rivalry”.

He said he has handled at least 21 cases for the BBK community involving billions of rands in the community’s trust account.

Mothuloe alleged Kgafela promised him at least R15 million to assist him to overthrow their uncle, Pilane, the chief of the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela in Moruleng in North West. Mothuloe said Kgafela was accusing him of overcharging the BKK when, in fact,there was an agreement of fees authorised by Kgafela.

Mothuloe said fees were paid for Kgafela’s cases and Kgafela’s then tribal council in Mochudi, situated in Botswana. Many of the payments were remittances to Kgafela, his family and his tribal council for both his remuneration and functioning of his then office of the Tribal Council.