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Premier drops ball in chieftaincy fight

IN DISPUTE: Supporters of Lehlomela Lion in the chieftaincy battle of Maboloka village arrived at the court colourfully dressed in their Basotho attire Photo: Boitumelo Tshehle
IN DISPUTE: Supporters of Lehlomela Lion in the chieftaincy battle of Maboloka village arrived at the court colourfully dressed in their Basotho attire Photo: Boitumelo Tshehle

PREMIER Supra Mahumapelo's failure to file a crucial affidavit in a chieftaincy dispute led to the postponement of the matter in the North West High Court in Mahikeng yesterday.

The court was set to review the decision in placing Chief David Tsajoa as the rightful heir of Bataung Ba Hlalele at Maboloka village near Brits.

The matter was postponed as Mahumapelo did not file an affidavit. He was supposed to state in his affidavit what were the facts that had informed former premier Thandi Modise's decision to appoint Tsajoa as chief.

Tsajoa was given recognition to be the rightful chief in July last year by Modise, who read from the outcome of North West's commission of traditional leadership, disputes and claims.

In March this year an inauguration ceremony for Tsajoa was cancelled after police served him with a court order to stop the ceremony as Lehlomela Emmanuel Lion was still the rightful heir.

Yesterday, Lion's lawyer Graham Moshoana was not happy that the matter was being postponed.

"The premier knew that today the case will be sitting in court, he cannot hold the court to ransom, this is not how the business of the court must be conducted," he said.

Judge Samkelo Gura postponed the case. He gave Mahumapelo until Monday to submit the affidavit.

The community of Maboloka came in large numbers in support of Lion.

The group, wearing their Basotho traditional attire, gave Lion a standing ovation when he entered the courtroom.

On the other side of the courtroom was a handful of people who were in support of Chief Tsajoa.

tshehleb@sowetan.co.za

 

 

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