No kgosi, no kgotla meetings in Zwenshambe

Zwenshambe village is currently running without a Kgosi following a high court order which nullified former Minister of Local Government, Margaret Nasha’s endorsement of the Chabale family as the rightful traditional leaders of Zwenshambe village.

The high court order, which deprived Moses Mabutho, who belongs to the Chabale family a job as Zwenshambe Kgosi in early October 2015, was received with mixed feelings.

The verdict has since rendered the kgotla non-functional as all activities have now come to a standstill. Before the court order Zwenshambe village fell under the jurisdiction of Mosojane village headed by Kgosi Sebangane Mosojane who is not impressed by the state of affairs at the once active Kgotla buildings.

“Everything has simply come to a halt at Zwenshambe since the village does not have a Kgosi. As we speak, the village development committee (VDC) has not been elected since the elections have to take place in a kgotla in the presence of a Kgosi and unfortunately the village does not have a Kgosi. Even the President, Members of Parliament (MPs) and Councillors cannot hold kgotla meeting since there is no Kgosi. A Kgosi is very important in the sense that he or she has the responsibility to welcome all official visitors in their village,’’ he shared.

Mosojane added that in the absence of the Kgosi all criminal cases reported in Zwenshambe are being referred to the Masunga Tribal Administration which then delegates a kgosi to preside over them. This has created a backlog of cases that have to be tried.

The village’s hopes are currently pinned on an application for stay of execution of the court order which, according to Mosojane, should be heard before a high court judge sometime in February 2016. Mosojane informed this publication in an interview that since they have appealed the judgment, they have also nominated a person to keep the Kgotla running, hence the decision to apply for a stay of execution.

When contacted for comment, area MP for Tati West, Biggie Butale (BDP) was in the dark about the developments in the village. “That is unfortunate because I am scheduled to hold a Kgotla meeting there sometime next week,’’ he said.