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Bakgatla report was half-baked

Your article "Bakgatla call for Molewa's removal" published on June 23 refers.

Your article "Bakgatla call for Molewa's removal" published on June 23 refers.

While we appreciate the brief quote by Premier Edna Molewa, the journalist should have given a better perspective of the matter.

The premier was asked to withdraw the recognition certificate of Kgosi Molefe Nyalala John Pilane as Kgosi of Bakgatla Ba Kgafela traditional community on the basis of allegations of crime and misconduct.

This request came from the Royal House of Bakgatla Ba Kgafela.

Molewa's position has always been that she cannot accede to the request until Pilane is is found guilty and sentenced in court.

She cannot act before sentence is passed owing to provisions of section 12 of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act, 2003 and section 14 of the North West Traditional Leadership and Governance Act, 2005.

It is correct that the regional court in Mogwase found Pilane guilty of certain offences according to a judgment delivered on June 3.

The legislation indicates that removing Pilane depends not only on finding him guilty, but on the sentence, which must be 12 months imprisonment or more with no option of a fine.

Russel Mamabolo, director media relations, Premier's Office, North West

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