Nine members of the platinum-rich Bakwena Ba Mogopa community have been acquitted on charges of public violence stemming from a protracted leadership battle within the tribe, which has yet to be resolved.
In handing down the decision at the Garankuwa Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Aggrey Siphuthi ruled that no concrete evidence had been provided to justify punishing the accused.
Violence erupted in December 2005, after a meeting to resolve a leadership squabble in the community, leading to two buildings at the royal headquarters being set alight.
At the centre of the skirmish was Motlalepule Mathibedi, who had been appointed regent of the community by North West Premier Edna Molewa in place of Segwagwa Mamogale. Mamogale, who assumed the regency in November 2003 following the death of the chief, was unseated after a faction in the royal family accused him of maladministration and poor leadership, specifically in ‘the handling of contracts relating to the exploitation of the tribe’s mineral rightsâ€. Molewa’s move was later declared ‘grossly irregular†by the Mmabatho High Court.
Lawrence Mashigo, a spokesperson for the royal family and one of the accused, says the decision means the faction can now speak freely about tribal affairs and ‘not be removed by police from meetingsâ€, although he concedes that an actual power shift has yet to take place in the royal capital of Bethanie.
Mathibedi, who is perceived to be a lackey of people seeking to benefit unlawfully from the tribe’s wealth, is still holding on to the throne.
The Hindler Commision was set up in September to look into the affairs of the Bakwena.