Royal family claim's Kgosi Malope ll is not Kgosi Seepapitso's son

Bangwaketse elders have expressed concern following receipt of a controversial letter from Metlhaeno Gaseitsewe, a cousin to their Paramount Chief, Kgosi Malope II.

In the letter, accusations were made against the chief's lineage and leadership abilities. In response, the elders vow to protect their chief and characterise Metlhaeno's behavior as bitter and abnormal.

When addressing the tribe on Friday, Kgosi Malope II stated that this is the second letter he has received from his cousin, Metlhaeno. He mentioned that he had presented both letters to his uncles and advisers for consideration. Kgosi Malope II further disclosed that he received the first letter during his wedding in 2022.

"Lokwalo le le tlaa balwa gore le utlwe gore ga tweng. Mme ne yare ke sena go bona lekwalo, ka bitsa bo rangwane, gore le bone ba tle go bona," said Kgosi Malope II.

Metlhaeno's letter, which he duplicated for himself, his cousin Kgosi Malope II, and Kgosi Malope II's wife, also accused the chief of being intoxicated with power. Metlhaeno threatened that Kgosi Malope ll's reign is approaching its end.

Tirontle Semane Kgopo, Headman of Arbitration from Mokgomane, read the letter written in English and translated it to Setswana for the gathered residents before the Kgotla. As he read, the residents reacted with surprise, frequently touching their mouths in disbelief.

"You are drunk with power and often behave like a bull in a china shop. You are like an elephant in the room, not being in the right place. To remove this ugly animal one has to break the boundaries and break the walls for it to come out, you do not have business with Bangwaketse because you do not have royal blood or intellect to lead," the letter reads.

Kgopo also addressed the gathered residents after reading the letter, informing them that this was the second letter received from Metlhaeno. He expressed their intentions to meet with Metlhaeno to hear his grievances regarding the first letter as Bangwaketse elders.

He further recounted that during a previous meeting, Metlhaeno expressed a desire for reconciliation with his cousin, Kgosi Malope II. At the time, Kgopo advised Metlhaeno that if his intentions were for peace, they would be welcomed. However, despite efforts by Kgopo and other elders to facilitate reconciliation, no positive outcomes were achieved. Kgopo expressed disappointment that Metlhaeno had resorted to writing another letter, especially after previously seeking forgiveness and hoping for better relations.

Deputy Paramount Chief Kepapetse Telekelo, speaking before the Kgotla, confirmed that Metlhaeno had given him a duplicate of the letter. "Upon reading the letter, I was taken aback by the words suggesting that Kgosi Malope's days are numbered. These words troubled me greatly, and I find myself constantly checking on Kgosi Malope, even when it's unnecessary. We attempted to reconcile the two parties, but our efforts were in vain as Metlhaeno insisted on removing Kgosi Malope II from power," he stated.

Kgosi Telekelo also showed concern over false claims following the meeting with Metlhaeno, that they were intending to secure an office for him in Selokolela, when the truth was that they were only trying to reconcile the two.

In response to the letter, Bangwaketse residents vehemently defended their Paramount Chief, Kgosi Malope II, asserting that he is the rightful heir who was coronated before their presence.

Telekelo read Seepapitso IV's words before the Kgotla, spoken on September 26, 2007, affirming that Malope II is his child and the rightful chief of Bangwaketse. He condemned Metlhaeno for insulting his late uncle.

Other elders advised that Metlhaeno's allegations should not be taken to heart, as he stands to gain nothing from them.

Former legislator, Peter Siele, remarked that it was unprecedented in history to witness such extreme insults towards leaders. "I am of the same age as the American president Joe Biden, and it is the first time I hear insults of this magnitude. I am glad Kgosi Telekelo read Seepapitso IV's words to us," said Siele. He questioned Metlhaeno's mental state, as his claims about Malope II lacking royal blood contradicted Seepapitso IV's words.

"Metlhaeno is causing unnecessary distress to the elders. I wish thorough discipline should be taken against him by strong Mephato men," Siele remarked, expressing a desire for decisive action against Metlhaeno by some of the community's respected leaders.

Other residents suggested that a delegation should be appointed to seek a restraining order against Metlhaeno, preventing him from approaching the chief and his wife, as he belittles Bangwaketse elders, that he writes the letter and attends the meeting called to discuss the letter he wrote.

Tsima Gabanakgosi, who was present when Malope was installed in power said he suspects that there are other people behind the letter. "Metlhaeno should be called here, he is not alone in making such distasteful utterances," he said.

Elders at the kgotla were visibly upset, as they did not wait to be given an opportunity to comment by the Headman of Arbitration who was overseeing the Kgotla meeting.

Former Southern District Council chairman, Leach Tlhomelang commended Kgosi Malope II for openly addressing the residents with the letter. He disclosed that Kgosi Leema, Malope II's elder brother, had agreed for his brother to take over as chief due to illness. Tlhomelang assured the residents that Malope II is the legitimate Bangwaketse chief, according to both legal and constitutional standards. "Kana lehatshe ga lea itekanna, batho ba lwala, ga ke dumele gore a gona le mongwe o mo seemong sa tlhaloganyo yame, o ka dirang yaana!" said Tlhomelang, further suggesting that Metlhaeno should be taken for psychiatric assessment and assistance.

There is a general conviction among Bangwaketse that a certain group people, who identify themselves as the "concerned group," are behind the letter written by Metlhaeno and influence him to continuously utter distasteful words towards his cousin, Kgosi Malope II. Among members of this "concerned group" are Taolo Moshaga, Radikokwana Maswabi, Serwalo Gaseitsewe and her children and Metlhaeno's mother Bonolo Gaseitsewe.

When speaking to The Midweek Sun, some members of the "concerned group" denied being behind Metlhaeno's letter.

Taolo Moshaga stated that other headsmen of arbitration should have protected the chief from such occurrences, rather than merely claiming to love him, "Sebinyana ga se kukela se a tingwa. Words like these should have been addressed within closed walls. We should focus on discussing peace in order for us to make progress," said Moshaga, also denying that he is part of the "concerned group" but advised the group should be listened to.

Kgosi Malope ll's aunt, Serwalo Gaseitsewe told The Midweek Sun that their biggest contention is that Kgosi Malope has never involved them in his chieftaincy, not in his decisions, despite being his parents.

She added that Kgosi Malope never involved them in his wedding that took place in Lesotho and Botswana.

"He does not want Gaseitsewe family members around, and his right-hand men advise him to stay away from us as much as possible," said Serwalo, who is sister to Metlhaeno's mother, Bonolo. "We are not Malope II's friends, we are his parents, we raised him as Seepapitso IV's child, but we know he is not Seepapitso's child, that is fact. He even knows he's not Seepapitso's biological child," said Serwalo.

Metlhaeno stated that the second letter was a personal letter that he believed should not have been read to the whole tribe. He added that the first letter was an open letter. "I am fighting all this because I know for a fact that there is the rightful heir to Bangwaketse chieftaincy. Leema had a child, and I believe he is the only rightful Bangwaketse heir," said Metlhaeno.