We hold no brief for the paramount chief of Bakgatla. We do not wish to comment on the transgressions that Kgosi Kgafela II is alleged to have committed against his own people since the matter is before the courts.
Having said that, we find it a little odd that the country’s leadership has taken a political decision to “derecognise” Bakgatla paramount chief over a matter that could have been resolved amicably following proper engagement.
The last time we checked, people who do not observe the rule of law are, regardless of their alleged crimes, given a hearing.
The government of President Ian Khama, it would appear, has already passed an emotional verdict on Kgafela II – a guilty one at that.
Kgafela is faulted for frustrating government efforts to consult and communicate with Kgatleng community on developmental issues that affect the community.
He is also charged with abuse of powers by ordering dikgosana in Kgatleng to ignore and frustrate Ministers’ efforts in their bid to hold meetings in Kgatleng District as well as inciting Dikgosana to be insubordinate and refuse to carry-out lawful orders from Ministers.
Whose kgotlas are they anyway?
We have previously warned the government from using dikgotla as platforms for political propaganda and treating dikgosi as civil servants. 
Once again, we urge government not to politicise the kgotla.
The government must find smart innovative ways of interacting with people without encroaching on traditional spaces.
We do not know what the government hopes to achieve by isolating a leader who is adored by his subjects in the two countries of Botswana and South Africa.
The government acted out of emotions by “derecognising” Kgafela II.
The government should have engaged Kgosi Kgafela “civilly” to use his word. It is dangerous to have a government that functions on kneejerk emotions instead of therisano, the bedrock foundation which has been a pillar of this democracy.
The government, we hope, has learnt lessons from the past that it cannot impose anyone to be a chief of any tribe without the approval of that tribe.
Such attempts failed in the tribal territory of GaNgwaketse during the days of Kgosi Seepapitso IV who was seen as hostile to the government of Sir Ketumile Masire.
The colonial governments also failed to take away Seretse Khama from his people.
The action taken by the present government is no different and certainly no wiser. It will not help the situation in Kgatleng. It sounds like persecution. It may well be perceived as such by Kgafela’s subjects. Kgafela II was born a chief and he remains one.
Kgafela, it has become evident from the onset, has never desired to be accountable to politicians nor enjoy the trappings that come with being a member of Ntlo ya Dikgosi. What we see unfolding in Kgatleng goes way beyond the alleged transgressions committed by Kgafela. There is a sense of bitterness in Kgafela at the way traditional leaders have been treated by politicians.
The government should refrain from thinking it owns Dikgosi. Kgafela has been steadfast in resurrecting the culture of Bakgatla.
We do not want to believe that the paramount chief of Bakgatla is a lunatic just because he is seeking the High Court to suspend the constitution.
