North West Province Thandi Modise has dismissed allegations that her office has delayed resolution of the Bakwena Ba-Phalane Traditional leadership dispute whose report she is alleged to have received on 21 February last year.
In appealing to the Bakwena Ba- Phalane Action Committee not to be misled into mobilising communities not to participate in the elections, Premier Modise said that the allegation that the Commission on Traditional Leadership Claims Disputes had finalised its investigations into the leadership dispute and handed its report to her is mischievous political opportunism which is devoid of truth.
“All cases finalised by the commission and presented to my office for consideration were processed within the 60 days period prescribed by the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act 41 of 2003 and the outcomes thereof announced to all parties to the dispute,” Modise said.
Premier Modise said that It is public knowledge that Kgosi James Ramokoka’s application for a court interdict that sought to prevent the Commission from investigating, conducting hearings, compiling and submitting a report in respect of the dispute regarding the chieftaincy over the Baphalane Tribe lodged by Bosman Noah Ramokoka was dismissed with costs on 22 March 2013 in the North West High Court in a ruling that was delivered by Honourable Judge Landman.
The commission experienced unfortunate delay in registering significant progress in finalising its investigations due to meetings it had to conduct with Kgosi James Ramokoka and the Ba-Phalane Royal Family to gather information on the history of traditional leadership of Ba Baphalane, their customary law of succession and confirm their genealogy.
The Premier has called on the independent commission to expedite its investigation into the dispute to bring the matter to finality.
“Communities in Ga-Ramokokastad, Phadi, Mmorogong, Bojating, Rankelenyane, Module,Gevonden and Mantserre should on Wednesday exercise their hard won right to choose a government of their choice knowing that the provincial government respects the autonomy of the institution of traditional leaders and has no interest in meddling in traditional leadership affairs except to work with whosoever will ultimately emerge as the legitimate leader and themselves as a partners for development,” she appealed.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
