ROYAL RIFT
The Kanye Magistrate Court on Thursday heard a case involving a letter sent by Metlhaeno Gaseitsewe Bathoen to Bangwaketse Paramount Chief, Kgosi Malope II.
Before the matter landed in court, Gaseitsewe (59) told The Midweek Sun that the letter was intended to be private and addressed solely to his cousin. He expressed shock that its contents were later shared with the entire tribe.
In court, Gaseitsewe stood alone on one side of the room, physically separating himself from other Bangwaketse tribesmen, including Senior Chief Representative Kennedy Mookodi. The stark separation highlighted a deepening family dispute playing out in public.
Gaseitsewe, a resident of Kgosing ward, faces one charge of undermining the authority of the Paramount Chief. The offense allegedly occurred on February 13, 2024. In the disputed letter, Gaseitsewe claimed that Kgosi Malope II lacks royal blood and therefore has no legitimate claim to the throne—despite his formal installation.
The charge sheet is still being amended, and his plea was reserved. He was released on bail under unspecified conditions. The court postponed the case to August 19.
In his earlier interview, Gaseitsewe revealed that he had taken his concerns to the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs. He challenged the Chief's legitimacy and proposed that a DNA test be conducted. He further vowed to pursue the matter until resolved, stating, “I will fight this to the end of my life.”
According to the letter, copies were also sent to Kgosi Malope II’s wife, Mmasetsibi Gaseitsewe, and Deputy Paramount Chief Kgosi Kepapetse Telekelo. In it, Gaseitsewe accused Kgosi Malope II of abusing power, lacking leadership qualities, and warned that his reign would soon come to an end.
In 2023, Tirontle Semane Kgopo, Headman of Arbitration from Mokgomane, publicly read excerpts from the letter. He confirmed it was signed by Gaseitsewe and included the following statement:
“You have become more intoxicated with power, behaving recklessly. The current situation calls for decisive action to remove you, akin to removing an elephant from a room by breaking boundaries. You are unfit to lead Bangwaketse and lack the royal pedigree and intelligence required of a leader.”
Representatives of the Bangwaketse firmly rejected the contents of the letter and declared their unwavering support for Kgosi Malope II. At a Kgotla meeting attended by The Midweek Sun, Deputy Paramount Chief Kgosi Telekelo responded to the claims, stating, “Ga re ka ke ra bua sepe ka ngwana wa mpa ya dikgora!”
Kgosi Malope II also addressed the gathering, sharing that this was the second letter he had received from his cousin. He said both letters were first reviewed by his uncles (Bo Rangwane) and advisers before legal action was taken. The first letter was handed to him during his wedding in 2022. Although the family initially sought to resolve the issue privately, they later decided to escalate it through the courts.