Lorraine Masipa, the tribe's head of corporate affairs, handed in her resignation letter last week after her suspension. The tribe is from Moruleng village outside Rustenburg in North West.

Masipa declined to comment, referring all questions to the tribe's chief executive officer Meshack Molope.

The tribe's director of communications Kebone Molope confirmed Masipa had resigned, but would not divulge her reasons for leaving her job.

Kebone refused to comment on allegations that Masipa had forged Meshack Molope's signature on aR8-million cheque.

"Yes, Masipa has resigned and she was on suspension pending an investigation and a hearing. Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela traditional authority reserves the right to investigate the matter to verify the extent of the allegations levelled against Masipa," Kebone said.

"Remember one is innocent until proven guilty," she said.

Masipa's resignation follows that of chief Nyalala Pilane, who stepped down last week following the arrival of the tribe's paramount chief Kgafela Kgafela from Botswana.

Caroline Rammutla from Pilane's office had conceded that "there are rumours doing the rounds" that Pilane had resigned, but would only say "no comment" when asked if the rumours were true.

Kgafela's return to Moruleng has been attributed "to carrying out his duties".

- selebim@sowetan.co.za

Comments

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Tue May 21 21:29:29 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 15, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

Grab the money and run!!
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Aug 15, 2012

Limpopoist

I just like those name:
Kgafela Kgafela from Botswana
Tladi Tladi
Mogoeng mogoeng
Mashau Mashau from ga Mashau
Van Zyl Van Zyl Absa IT manager

it seems cool neh
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Aug 15, 2012

MakgwebelakaKokoYaManoti!

Owele hle Bakgatla lona bana ba Bahurutshe,dintwa ke tsa eng hle setjhaba seso.
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Aug 15, 2012

MommaC

How much money do these 'tribal councils' have?

If she could milk out 8 million then the question of why the people of that tribe are living in poverty has got to become suspect.
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Aug 15, 2012

Sinudeity_

"Remember one is innocent until proven guilty"

LOL, the must uttered phrase by the ANC.
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Aug 15, 2012

MattKD

MommaC Bakgatla are the nabouring tribe of the famous Royal Bafokeng and are rich in Platinum Mines aswell jst like the Royal Bafokeng
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Aug 15, 2012

MommaC

MattKD

Seems that it is all being based on the Mswathi model. The top dogs (or Feudal lords) live in the lap of luxury and the peasants live the life of serfs.
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Aug 15, 2012

Sinudeity_

MommaC - The 'economic struggle' against the monarchs? When is that happening?
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Aug 15, 2012

MommaC

Sinudeity_

Don't be silly. That is what the Tribal Council Bill is going to prevent happening. Wouldn't want a bunch of kinglettes having to dirty their paws by working for a living.
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Aug 15, 2012

TDK

I hope criminal charges have been instituted against her.
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