Kgosikwena plans suit against state

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Tuesday June 11, 2013 00:00

 

Contacted for comment, Kgosikwena said: 'I cannot comment at this stage, go and ask my lawyer he is handling everything'. Apparently, the Department of Tribal Administration rejected Kgosikwena's application for reinstatement in preference of Kgosi Mothibe Linchwe of Bakgatla. Mothibe was reinstated last week to the chagrin of some members of the Bakgatla royal family. A heated meeting last weekend at Mochudi Kgotla revealed the hidden divisions in the Bakgatla royal house.

Kgosikwena's lawyer, Kgosietsile Ngakaagae has said he is still in discussions with the client and he will know sometime this week what course of action to take.  'At the moment, we are still discussing our case and what shape it should take. We will be meeting again this week and by then would know which route to take,' he said. It is not clear how much Kgosikwena is demanding from the government, but Mmegi is informed the damages could run into millions of Pula.

Kgosikwena was convicted of stock-theft three years ago by a magistrate but was discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal last July.  He was accused of stealing a billygoat, a charge he denied until he was acquitted.Mothibe, who took over during Kgosikwena's detention was convicted by a magistrate's court early last year on a charge of malicious damage to property, following the destruction of a Mascom mast in Mochudi in 2010 by Bakgatla regiments. He was slapped with a fine.

However, President Ian Khama pardoned him recently and ordered his reinstatement as Customary Court of Appeal president. A statement from the Office of the President issued last week said that: 'On 26th November 2012, His Excellency the President acceded to Kgosi Mothibe Linchwe's request for Presidential Pardon in terms of Section 53 of the Constitution of the Republic of Botswana. The granting of the Presidential Pardon restored Kgosi Mothibe Linchwe to civil liberties, including the right to hold public office, among others.

Following the pardon of Kgosi Mothibe Linchwe, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Peter Siele has appointed him as President of Customary Court of Appeal (South) effective from July 1, 2013 for a period of three years, which he has accepted vide a letter dated 3rd June 2013'.