Bangwato royal uncles present 'dummy' petition
Bangwato royal uncles (BoRangwane) and a group called Balwela Kgosi, experienced a setback on Monday.
Their two-day meeting, intended to conclude with the submission of a petition to the government to allow Kgosi Ian Khama to return home, failed due to their failure to obtain a permit. The failure rendered the two-day meeting
held at the Former President’s residence in Serowe ineffective, despite allegedly gathering representatives from at least 12 villages.
Despite their confidence that one day they will ensure their Kgosikgolo Khama returns home, as it is purportedly his wish, they struggle to adequately address some fundamental questions, let alone meet basic requirements such as seeking permission to march to the District Commissioner's office.
According to the group’s spokesperson, Segaetsho Garekwe of Balwela Kgosi, they concluded their meeting late on Sunday because they had to inform the villages that the planned march to the District Commissioner’s office, where they intended to submit the petition, had been postponed due to the lack of a permit.
Garekwe stated, "We have not been granted a permit yet, so we can't proceed against the law."
Serowe's Officer Commanding, Senior Superintendent Paul Oketsang, stated that his office had not received any request as required by law. The law stipulates that anyone seeking permission to hold a motorcade, march, or walk in the streets must first seek permission from the relevant authority to whom they intend to hand the petition.
Once such confirmation is obtained, they can apply for the march, providing reasons and the intended route, which has not occurred.
Serowe District Commissioner, Angelinah Leano said her office received a note which was not addressed to her. It was also not signed. "We advised them to formalise it and address it to the relevant authority that they want to write to. They are still to come back to us’’.
According to Garekwe, representatives from 12 villages and one town attended the meeting. These villages included Mahalapye, Palapye, Serowe, Nshakashakwe, Selebi Phikwe, Mosu, Radisele, Tamasane, Mogapi, Tshimoyapula, Moremi, Pilikwe, and Mokgware. The representatives not only attended on behalf of their villages but also clusters of villages and some constituencies.
Garekwe elaborated, "BoRangwane and Balwela Kgosi have been meeting in Serowe at Kgosi Ian Khama’s residence in Palamaukuwe. We are accompanied by representatives from various villages in Baga-Mmangwato.
“The main discussion points included three items: the return of Kgosi Khama to Botswana, granting Morafe access to use Dikgotla for meetings as needed, and the installation of the Regent or Motshwarelela Kgosi of Bangwato, namely Seretse Peter Khama, who is the preferred and appointed candidate by Kgosi Ian."
Garekwe said, "Our aim, following the completion of our meeting, is to petition the government through the District Commissioner. We intend to walk or drive, for those unable to walk, from Palamaukuwe to the District Commissioner’s office, where we will hand over the petition," he said.
He clarified that they do not expect the District Commissioner to provide any answers upon receiving the petition.
"We have confidence that she will ensure the petition reaches the appropriate authorities," Garekwe explained, adding that the group simply wants the Kgotla to be opened for Morafe’s use, and so far, no reasons have been given as to why Morafe cannot use their respective Kgotla like other tribes.
Another contentious point is that their Kgosi has been staying outside the country for a long time and that efforts by BoRangwane to secure meetings with government officials, the responsible minister, and even the state president, have not been successful. Now, the Morafe is taking over the matter, intending to engage with the authorities to request that the Kgotla be available at all times for their free use, as it used to be.
When asked about Kgosi Serogola, Garekwe said he (Serogola) is not a Motshwarelela Kgosi but simply a government appointee because his installation did not follow the Bogosi Act. He was not appointed by the Kgosi and approved by BoRangwane or the tribal leadership.
Garekwe told Botswana Guardian that former President Khama is prepared to come back home, and insists that when he returns, it must be made public even though he did not make it public when he left the country.
"He won't return secretly; everyone will know he's coming back," Garekwe said, adding that Khama believes his safety is threatened in Botswana.
At the time of going to press, it wasn't clear when BoRangwane and Balwela Kgosi would apply for a permit in order to present their petition.