Oarabile Mosikare
9 October 2008
Francistown — The Zwenshambe chieftainship crisis is far from over. The village has not had a headman of records for two years now.
The Minister of Local Government Margaret Nasha recently did not approve the recommendation for the appointment of the controversial Francistown nominated councillor and former mayor Peter Ngoma as the headman of records for Zwenshambe.
Although Kgosi Freda Mosojane of Mosojane village has been told to give direction on the matter, she pleaded ignorance of Nasha's rejection of Ngoma. "I have not seen the letter. Of course I will let you know about the decision I take on this matter immediately I receive the letter."
Seven headmen of wards in the village have instituted legal proceedings querying the appointment of Ngoma. Attorneys for the seven headmen have written a letter to the Attorney General to demand that Nasha must restrain Mosojane from installing a headman of records in Zwenshambe. The headmen are unaware that Nasha has rejected Ngoma as headman. Former Botswana National Front (BNF) activist Peter Woto is one of the seven headmen opposed to the installation of Ngoma.
"Since we have not seen or read the letter (from Nasha), the litigation continues," he said. The elderly Woto explained that the people of Zwenshambe do not belong to a single chiefdom but three. He alleged that they did not know the basis on which Chabale ward, where Ngoma comes from, was chosen to provide the headman of records.
"Because we do not belong to a single chiefdom, Zwenshambe must choose its headman of records. We would not allow the Chabales to choose the headman of records for us.
We want elections as we did and agreed in 1979." Woto and other headmen, averse to the installation of Ngoma, say they will meet and plan the way forward only after receiving the letter from Nasha.
Meanwhile Woto is worried because cases are pending at Zwenshambe Kgotla as there is no headman of records to hear them. A Kgosi from one of the neighbouring villages in the North East expressed delight about Ngoma's rejection.
"Outsiders are the ones killing this institution of bogosi (chieftainship). Politicians must leave bogosi to dikgosi," said the Kgosi who requested anonymity.
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