Autlwetse fanning flames of tribal conflict - Khama
Former President Ian Khama has called a meeting for Bangwato to advise on the way forward in dealing with the standoff between him and President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Khama instructed for the holding of the meeting today ( Friday) after Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kgotla Autlwetse wrote a letter to Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane, Bangwato Regent, last week that there should not be any private meetings held at Serowe main Kgotla.
Khama on Tuesday stated that he is aware of the minimum authority of Autlwetse as Minister responsible for Bogosi. He said that the tone and contents of the letter to Kgosi Kgamane violate section 25 of Bogosi Act as it clearly undermines “my authority as Paramount Chief of Bangwato and by extension that of the tribe.”
He stated that he cannot ignore the fact that in this particular matter, Autlwetse is heavily conflicted and cannot be a neutral arbiter.
“The basis for the said letter, according to Autlwetse is that Kgosi Sediegeng has allowed Bangwato to use their main Kgotla in Serowe for what Autlwetse puts as private affairs that in his view cannot be conducted at my Kgotla.
“This is in reference to my having instructed Kgosi Sediegeng in my capacity as Paramount Chief of Bangwato to update Morafhe on matters that affected my family, that being the illegal detention of my twin brothers Tshekedi and Anthony Khama and Thea Khama, Tshekedi’s wife by the Directorate on Intelligence and Security Services ( DIS).
“Apparently Autlwetse had attempted to stop the meeting which took place at the main kgotla in Serowe, as I had requested, and which he describes as having been “outside the purpose and function of a kgotla,” Khama said in the statement.
He added that among other illusions and offensive assertions, Autlwetse calls upon Kgosi Kgamane never to convene any kgotla meeting in Serowe or any other kgotla in Gammangwato for matters that involve Khama and any of his family members.
He also declares that Sediegeng cannot take or implement any instructions from myself or convene a meeting at my instance, said Khama.
“Autlwetse goes on to imply that Bangwato have no right to use their Kgotla on matters that involve my family and myself despite the fact that I am the paramount Chief of Bangwato.
“It is my duty therefore to remind Autlwetse that even as Minister, he is my subject and has no business or right to interfere ( sic) in my dealings with Bangwato. If I needed his view or opinion on any such matter, I will let him know. I have so far not needed any,” said Khama, who warned Autlwetse that by disrespecting Kgosi Kgamane and him ( Khama) through Kgosi Kgamane, he is fanning the flames of tribal conflict as many Bangwato have asked “me to call Autlwetse to order, as I hereby do.”
According to Khama in terms of Bangwato Tribal Affairs, Autlwetse is junior even to Kgosi Kgamane as Regent of Bangwato. It is abominable and downright rude for Autlwetse to ever think he can call Kgosi Kgamane to order for respecting and implementing my instructions, said Khama who has been in South Africa for some months now.
“I have since requested my uncles in my absence to urgently call Bangwato to a kgotla meeting this coming Friday, April 1, 2022 to consult them further on what has been recommended to me by Morafhe for a way forward in trying to deal with my differences with Masisi following his dishonouring of an undertaking to grant my uncles an audience.
“Let me conclude by again warning Autlwetse to stay out of the affairs of my Kgotla and Gammangwato in general for his own good. What he has done is an act of indiscipline, insubordination and gross disrespect as he is attempting to strip me of my status as Kgosi Kgolo.
“I call on Bangwato to disregard the contents of his letter and to continue to freely attend any kgotla meetings in Ga Mmangwato,” Khama explained.