Kgafela has been accusing Ramono of insubordination and failure to work well with others, Mmegi has learnt. The expulsion was confirmed to this publication by Kgafela's spokesperson, Letlotsa Phalafala. "I can confirm with certainty of the sun rising tomorrow that Ramono has been dismissed as kgosi ya Bakgatla Ba Kgafela in South Africa by the royal family lead by Kgosikgolo and the premier of the North West Province has received the letter to withdraw Ramono's certificate of recognition as kgosi," he said. Ramono Pilane Linchwe was the appointed Kgosi in 2020 following an announcement by North West Premier, Professor Tebogo Job Mokgoro. Ramono had stood with Kgafela when they fought for the withdrawal of certificate of recognition for his predecessor, Kgosi John Nyalala Pilane. In February, Kgafela suspended Ramono from office pending an inquiry and possible formal hearing to determine his fitness to hold office, and to represent the best interests of the royal family and the BBK tribe. According to the suspension letter, the charges laid against Ramono then included that he has a track record of frustrating people he was supposed to work with, including Kgafela, often with potentially serious consequences. However in response to the letter, Ramono had said it sets out several charges which are not prescribed by law.
“An allegation that someone got frustrated as a consequence of my action doesn’t amount to either a common law or statutory offence and neither does such culminate in a customary law infringement. “These unsubstantiated allegations are merely bare and fail to meet the requirements of a proper charge with sufficient details indicative of the alleged violation,” Ramono wrote. Furthermore, Ramono said that the contents of Kgafela’s letter of suspension were unfortunate moreover that they were typical of a ruler with total power. “In the letter, words such as my alleged failure to carry his instructions clearly define his calibre. There should always be checks and balances to regulate, monitor, and discourage the exercise of arbitrary power,” he wrote. “In the result, I submit that this suspension is unlawful and unconstitutional and ought to be reconsidered and set aside with immediate effect, failing which, I will be left with no option but to approach the government for intervention,” Ramono stated. Kgafela was not amused with the response and called on Ramono to withdraw the letter. He warned that failure to withdraw, the contents of the letter would constitute disciplinary proceedings. Ramono would in August be hit with two charges, one being that of insolence towards Kgafela. “Use of rude, disrespectful, dishonest, abusive language, and behaviour; disregard of lawful instructions of Kgosikgolo, coupled with incompetence, and insubordination by failure to attend a scheduled meeting,” reads the documents. Amongst the many pointers for the charge, Kgafela highlighted that the impression of Ramono’s behaviour is that he has been harbouring a plot against the royal family, waiting for an opportunity to hold the government certificate of Kgosi to usurp the throne “as Nyalala Pilane has attempted. Notwithstanding your undertaking in your written agreement with Kgosikgolo that you would not behave as the previous administration of Tidimane and Nyalala”.
