Bamalete not ready to accept any loss in land case
- Will approach African Commission if they lose - Judgement set for Friday 17, February 2023
The Bamalete tribe will finally know their fate on February 17 when judgement in their famed land case against Malete Land Board is delivered. From the look of things, when they thronged the court this Tuesday, they were already expecting to hear some verdict on the matter. They had not expected the lengthy deliberations that took them into the afternoon.
The anxiety at the court premises was palpable. You could cut it with a knife. For them, the long wait was finally over. They would finally know the fate of their disputed land – Farm Forest Hill 9-KO! Droves of knobkerrie-wielding men and women with shawls draped around their shoulders marched through the Court of Appeal (COA) gates in eager anticipation. D-Day had finally arrived, they thought.
Balete had been eagerly waiting for the court appearance on Tuesday; and they came in their droves to prove to all and sundry just how they hungrily want their land and no man can stand before them, not even government.
Just like in October last year when the case was postponed, the court was full to the rafters, actually this time around, many were forced to sit outside court, including Paramount Chief of Balete Kgosi Mosadi Seboko's advisors.
It was after a long debate, pleadings and negotiations that Kgosi's advisors were allowed entry. Meanwhile, those left out were not happy with court security personnel that pushed them out and demanded that they sit outside.
“We are sitting outside here not knowing what is happening inside, we should be watching this case on big television screens here outside court at least. But no pressure, we will wait,” said one elderly woman as she sat on the court terrace.
Another with black sunglasses hanging to her nose added that they will not be intimidated. “We hope that those Judges are wise, they should not make the mistake of being misled. We mean business today. Our land or nothing," she said.
Asked by this publication if they do not trust the judges presiding over the case, the women looked up and said, "Evil is always exposed, we shall prevail, we are afraid to say a lot because we have elders here, our Kgosi is inside and might not take lightly to what we say in the corridors,” she said.
Pressed further if what they were saying was in connection with what Kgosi Seboko had said a few weeks back about President Mokgweetsi Masisi meddling in judiciary affairs they said, “We do not fear that man, if they do something to twist this case around, one day the truth shall come out.”
Just then another man approached and shared that they are ready to go international. He said they are using the Bamalete Development Trust Fund to raise funds.
“Fa ke maoko, tsela santse e le telele, we are preparing for the worst, we will get the best lawyers until government understands that when Balete say they want their land, they really want their land, nothing else.”
Deputy Kgosi, Tsimane Mokgosi, confirmed that Balete are ready to go international - the African Commission on People and Human Rights to be precise - seeking help if need be. He said they are calm for now as events unfold.
“We hope that Judges will be fair lest they expose themselves and the public loses trust in them. They should know that masses are watching this case closely,” Tsimane said.