FUNDS SCANDAL

A storm is brewing in Mmathubudukwane, where a senior chief’s representative finds himself at the centre of a controversy over community funds that villagers claim vanished without a trace.The community is demanding answers from senior chief representative Michael Balebetse, who is accused of receiving various payments meant to benefit the village but has allegedly failed to present any record of how the funds were used.According to residents, Balebetse was paid P100,000 through a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative from the company that built the police station, which was later destroyed by fire.Another company, Tau Grading, currently undertaking the Modipane/Mabalane road project, is said to have contributed additional funds by paying for water rights, as the company has been drawing water from Mmathubudukwane during its road works.Villagers also claim that money from the communal ploughing field, which has been leased for years to generate income for local development, cannot be accounted for either.The growing anger in the village has reached a point where residents are calling for Balebetse’s immediate suspension, arguing that public resources are meant to uplift the community, not disappear under questionable circumstances.Amid heated discussions in Dinokeng and surrounding villages, it is now being suggested that Balebetse has already been suspended. However, Motshwarelela Kgosi ya BaKgatla, Kgosi Bana Sekai, has dismissed rumours of suspension, saying no such action has been taken.He explained in an interview that he is aware of the concerns surrounding the missing funds and that investigations are underway. He said inquiries were launched after residents raised the alarm, and the traditional leadership is currently waiting for a full report from the investigation team before any decision is made.He said it would be premature to suspend Balebetse without the benefit of the probe’s outcome. He stressed that the matter must follow proper administrative channels, especially because the funds involved were reportedly paid directly to Balebetse, which raises questions that need thorough examination.Kgosi Bana Sekai also spoke about his recent trip to Cape Town, where he accompanied the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, to meet with Kgosikgolo Kgafela II.Their visit was to personally inform him that the government has cleared him of criminal charges that had kept him in self‑imposed exile in South Africa since 2012. The charges stemmed from allegations of unlawful corporal punishment within the Bakgatla tribe, a matter that dragged on for more than a decade and left the tribe without its principal leader.According to Kgosi Sekai, the meeting in Cape Town went well and Kgosi Kgafela expressed relief at the long‑awaited development. He indicated that he is finally preparing to return home, although he is still finalising matters in Moruleng before making his way back to Botswana.Sekai said Kgosi Kgafela intends to address the tribe soon and will take part, at least virtually, in the kgotla meeting scheduled for December 11th in Mochudi. He added that Minister Motshegwa will use the same gathering to explain the government’s decision in detail and outline the next steps regarding Kgosi Kgafela’s reintegration into his official duties.The decision to drop the charges was made under the new Umbrella for Democratic Change administration, marking a major turning point in the long‑running standoff between the BaKgatla ethnic group and the state. The Minister said he will deliver the news face‑to‑face, which has been widely welcomed by the BaKgatla community.Many residents of Mochudi who spoke to The Midweek Sun said they had waited for this moment for years. They said the absence of their leader created a leadership vacuum that affected the stability of the community, especially during sensitive administrative and cultural matters. Residents described the announcement as a moment of relief, expressing eagerness to see their chief resume hisrightful place.Some residents even urged the government to ensure that Kgosi Kgafela has proper security when he returns, saying they fear that old political tensions could resurface and put him at risk.

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FUNDS SCANDAL