Bafokeng Communities against their chief’s preference to govern them through the Courts
BLBA is pursuing a case in the North West High Court against the Status and Authority of Bafokeng chief Leruo; his bogus Councils; and some Headmen to sell Platinum Stars Football Club, and against the chief’s current attempt to remove Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform as Trustee in land claimed by a number of Bafokeng communities.
The Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in June 2018 against the chief’s unauthorized attempt to transfer and register disputed land in RBN names. Individual communities forming the Bafokeng ‘tribe’ claim it was they as independent village clans who in the mid 19th century bought farmlands on which they each reside, and that the farms were not tribally purchased as claimed by the chief.
In terms of Section 32(b) of the North West Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act 2 of 2005, the Bafokeng chief Leruo must personally payback the money he spent in the past ten years on legal fees incurred in his failed attempt to have the land transferred and registered in the RBN name without affected communities’ consent.
The Premier, the Auditor General and Bafokeng communities ought to know how much money has the Bafokeng chief Leruo wasted on the above failed attempt to transfer and register land in RBN names.
It is estimated that Leruo spent no less than R10m on both his lawyers’ and opponents’ fees, monies that should not have been wasted, had the chief observed and taken advice on the historical Tswana custom on consultation and consensus seeking, instead of his dictatorial cowboy style of governing the Bafokeng through the Courts.
The captured chief and a gang of advisors wishing to maintain a corrupt oppressive stronghold on Bafokeng assets to the exclusion of Bafokeng founders (original Bafokeng-land buyers) should not see the light of day, and should be condemned by all with the contempt it deserves.
Such persistent delinquent conduct by the chief and his ilk is sufficient enough to remove them from office.
The Premier is duty bound to ensure that Traditional communities are not captured, exploited and held to randsome by despotic askari chiefs willing to sell their souls and their people to exploitative monopoly capitalists, and in the South African context, to the brutal white monopoly capital.
MEDIA BRIEFING 04 September 2018 (Tuesday) 10am Human Rights Resource Centre, 49 Steen Street, Rustenburg, 0299
TO: ALL MEDIA HOUSES
Click on this link to Watch BLBA Media Briefing
PREMIER’S STATUTORY DUTY REGARDING CORRUPTION AND MALADMINISTRATION IN TRADITIONAL COUNCILS – A CASE OF TRADITIONAL COMMUNITIES IN THE BOJANALA PLATINUM DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, NORTH WEST PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
‘Come 2019, we shall not vote ANC back in power in the North West Province’ – a cry from a number of disgruntled community members living under traditional system of governance in the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West Province
Over 60% of the population in the North West Province live in areas under traditional system of governance.
More than 50% of world platinum is produced from land under the jurisdiction of Traditional Councils in Bojanala Platinum District Municipality.
Traditional Councils are organs of State established in terms of legislation, and are subject to public law and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
The Premier’s office is enjoined by statute to ensure that Traditional Councils are effectively governed, and assets belonging to Traditional Communities are properly administered. The Premier is duty bound to take necessary steps where allegations of maladministration and corruption are made against Traditional leadership.
The Premier is duty bound to exercise his oversight powers diligently over Traditional Councils, and to avoid the problematic strategy to remain indifferent to the plight of the poor, marginalised and vulnerable rural communities; deliberately driving the aggrieved communities to the streets and the Courts; and to have violent and adversarial adjudication of disputes by the Police and the Courts on issues which are primarily within the Premier’s purview.
Communities of Bapo-ba-Mogale, Bafokeng, Baphalane-ba-Ramokoka and Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela will brief the Media on rampant corruption and maladministration worth (R) billions in their Traditional Councils; why they feel they have been let down by ANC leadership in the North West Province and the erstwhile leadership of former Premier Supra Mahumapelo; why they have been let down by the judiciary in the Province; and why even under such tremendous life threatening social and economic persecution, they choose not to burn tyres and buildings in their villages and surrounding towns.
RESPONSE ON THE PLANNED RETRENCHMENTS AT IMPALA PLATINUM MINES, RUSTENBURG
Impala Platinum Mines, a subsidiary of IMPLATS, opened its first mining shafts in around 1968 on land claimed by communities forming the Bafokeng Traditional Community. Under the leadership and authority of the Bafokeng chieftaincy, Implats has since opened more than 18 Shafts surrounding the village of Luka. It is off this land that Implats was dubbed the second highest platinum producer in the world.
Ironically, the abovementioned 20 000 strong village of Luka, has never enjoyed the proceeds from mining development on their land. The immeasurable cost and damage of Impala’s operations on the local environment and the Luka community as a whole is well documented.
It is against this backdrop that the communities of Luka and Maile lodged in February 2014, a formal appeal with the Minister of Mineral Resources against the renewal of Impala’s mining license, due then for expiry in 2018.
Despite above formal appeal and a commitment by the Minister to investigate the grounds of appeal, no investigations were ever conducted, and no further response on the appeal furnished.
AMCU has enjoyed the dominant majority labour union at Impala (Luka). Over 5 000 of AMCU members reside in backyard dwellings rented in Luka village. It is said the ANC would have lost the two wards in Luka in the last Local Government elections had the EFF not given up on pursuing vote-rigging allegations against ANC registered at the time. Luka community, together with AMCU members had voted the ANC out of power in mine-hosting villages forming Bafokeng.
It is no secret that AMCU dominance in mining companies operating on Bafokeng land is despised by local ANC and certain captured senior Bafokeng executives. It is clear AMCU will lose its majority status and membership favour at Impala, and will have many of its members resigning or their jobs unlawfully terminated.
The abovementioned retrenchments are nothing else but an ill-informed political ploy by the ANC and monopoly capital to weaken EFF performance at the next elections.
It would further be interesting to know if Impala’s mining license has been renewed without our community consent, and despite above objections. It would be very interesting to know what the economic projections in Impala’s application for mining license renewal are, and whether Impala was granted a renewal on false promises of economic growth and job creation.
It is our considered view that the current low prices on Platinum Group Metals are manipulated, possibly as a veiled attack on progressive labour forces in this country, and in response to the broader radical transformation agenda unfolding in the country.
We hope the left forces in this country: Communities, CBOs, the EFF, NUMSA and AMCU will find each other in response to these senseless retrenchments, and in ensuring that jobs and affected local economies are saved, and the final demise of imperialist economic terrorism in this country.
BLBA response to planned retrenchments at Impala platinum Mines – 09 Aug 2018
DME 2005 directive that Impala consult Mogono Lekgotla
Appeal by Mogono and Maile communities against Impala’s propose
DME response and commitment to investigate re Impala Shaft 18 a
Purported RBN Traditional Council response to BLBA motion to remove Bafokeng chief Molotlegi from office
At a successful Sunday 22 July 2018 community Workshop on both Traditional Leadership and Governance, and the Land Expropriation without Compensation debate held at Robega Village next to Sun City, Bafokeng communities endorsed a Bafokeng Land Buyers’ Association (‘BLBA’) petition requesting Bafokeng Royal Family to remove Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi from office as chief of the Royal Bafokeng Nation. The request was served on known senior Bafokeng Royal Family members, and published on BLBA website.
Mr Letlhogonolo Masilo, purportedly writing on behalf of either the Royal Bafokeng Supreme Council or Bafokeng Traditional Council, and on behalf of the Royal Bafokeng Administration, served Mr Thusi Rapoo (BLBA Chief Executive Officer) with two letters responding to the above request for the chief’s removal.
The first letter addressed to Mr Rapoo’s mother and the Rapoo Family, seek a response by the 26th July 2018 confirming if the Rapoo Family is in support of Mr Rapoo’s submissions, tabled at the Mogono Kgotla on the 08 July 2018. Mr Rapoo had at the said Kgotla meeting endorsed BLBA motion for the removal of the chief based on additional grounds peculiar to the Mogono community.
The chief sought at the said meeting, removal of Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development as trustee of the land claimed by the Mogono Community and others. Ownership of Bafokeng land is in dispute before the Courts, and in which Mogono Community seek transfer and registration of the two farms claimed (Klein Doornspruit 108JQ and Hartbeestspruit 88JQ) in its own names and not in the Bafokeng chief’s name.
The chief cast aspersion on the Community to administer its own land by cynically asking the Kgotla: “what are you going to do with the land?” The chief further alleged that the ANC and its Minister were corrupt and could therefore not be entrusted with holding land on behalf of the Bafokeng tribe, as is the case. For this reason further the chief does not support amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa for ‘Land Expropriation without Compensation’.
In response Mr Rapoo lamented that the chief was disingenuous in accusing the ANC of corruption, when he himself was corrupt and was running a corrupt administration. Mr Rapoo reiterated, on a number of grounds, that the chief was not fit to rule as chief of the Bafokeng and should instead resign. Interestingly, other than his known weakness to take criticisms personally, the chief conceded that he made mistakes, and that if asked, he would not mind to resign as he also had ideas and a mind of his own.
In the second letter responding to the published BLBA motion, Masilo records a position allegedly by the Traditional Council against the motion to remove the chief. Masilo states that BLBA has no right, power or permission to make such a request, but that such power to remove or identify a chief is the reserve and prerogative of the Royal Family.
It is not clear if Masilo’s letter is a decision of the Traditional Council, or the Supreme Council or of the Royal Bafokeng Administration. The Royal families have not made any response to BLBA motion.
BLBA indicated it will take further steps to approach the NW Premier’s Office should there be no positive response from the Royal Family.
See:
RBN Traditional Council response to the motion for Leruo removal
REMOVAL OF LERUO TSHEKEDI MOLOTLEGI FROM HIS POSITION AS THE CHIEF OF THE BAFOKENG TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY
The Bafokeng Land Buyers’ Association has since 2010, brought to the attention of some members of the Royal Family of the Bafokeng Traditional Community, that the manner in which their son chief Leruo Molotlegi conducts himself and his official duties as the Bafokeng chief, is unbecoming for the position he holds.
Communities expected that, having spent more than 15 years in office as the Bafokeng chief, the chief would have by now gained more understanding and maturity on how the traditional community should be administered or governed in line with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the wishes of Bafokeng communities.
It is on record that the chief has on as many occasions refused counsel of community elders and his Royal Family as prescribed by legislation.
In his recent interlocutory judgment in case 999/08, Judge Landman confirmed the abhorrent position that the chief operates prerogatively at his whim, obstinately against section 27 of the North West Act of 2005.
It has been noted that the Bafokeng chief:
- Refuses to marry, contrary to customary dictate that a chief be married upon his ascension to the position of a chief. Main reasons for this requirement relate to possible future disputes around succession; preservation of the community; peace and security within the community.
- Contrary to custom and his predecessors in office, refuses to consult (meaningfully if at all), with various Makgotla or Families on urgent, confidential and pertinent matters requiring his direct attention.
- Uses communal finances to divide the community.
- Promotes a clandestine culture of secrecy and corruption.
- Disrespects and swears at senior and prominent members of the traditional community.
- Disrespects the rule of (customary) law, and has rendered his Traditional Council redundant.
- Uses his official title and status to engage in wasteful and corrupt commercial activities and transactions; for his own private interest; and against the welfare of the community. Such conduct having cost the community billions of rands to date.
- Has failed to lead the Bafokeng and its structures with requisite diligence, leading to a collapsed traditional administration and fruitless expenditures.
The above synopsis is not exhaustive.
The chief himself submitted his interest to vacate his position as the chief and to focus on his business interests.
It is on the basis of the above shocking background that the communities submitted the humble request to the Royal Family to take the necessary steps:
- to remove Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi as the chief of the Bafokeng Traditional Community with immediate effect;
- to identify a suitable candidate for the position of the Administrator; and
- to notify the Bafokeng community and the Office of the North West Premier of the decision.
The Royal Family is expected to report on the above steps at the next Bafokeng Kgotha-Kgothe meeting. In this regard, BLBA advice that no Kgotha-kgothe resolution is in fact required for the above Royal Family decision. Such decision shall be presented at the Kgotha-kgothe for noting purposes only.
Letter requesting Royal Family for the Removal of RBN Leruo
Proof of Service – letter requesting removal of Kgosi Leruo Mol
Bafokeng Land Buyers' Association 