Kgosi Serogola tightens grip

–as govt chips off Ian Khama’s power–

• Khama accuses Serogola of being a hired gun
• ‘I don’t expect him to consult me, I don’t recognize him’ – Khama

BAKANG TIRO

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

GaMmangwato royal family has been rocked by divisions, ever since acting Bangwato regent (Motshwarelela bogosi) Kgosi Serogola Seretse took charge propelled by government, disregarding Ian Khama –Bangwato Kgosikgolo together with some royal uncles in the affairs of the kgotla, The Patriot on Sunday has learnt.

Information reaching this publication is that the three royal families of Khama, Seretse and Kgamane are engulfed in a tug of war over their bogosi affairs, a development which has annoyed Khama. Sources close to developments intimate that Kgosi Serogola has sidelined both Khama and Kgamane families in the bogosi affairs and some of the royal uncle, who in turn are pushing to oust him from the throne.

It is said Serogola, who enjoys the full support of government as his standoff with Khama, some royal uncles and tribesmen continues, is busy consolidating power as the authority in charge of throne while the Khama family live in a self-imposed exile in neighbouring South Africa.

“He is continuing to sideline some of vocal uncles from Khama and Kgamane families. He only surrounds himself with few uncles who are in his circle and some dikgosana from Serowe. Such actions of even not consulting with Khama show that he is being used by government,” said one concerned uncle who pleaded not to be named in fear of reprisals.

According to the concerned party, Serogola has never wanted to discuss his fallout with Khama and some of the uncles after he (Serogola) was recognized as the rightful regent by the Minister of Local Government Kgotla Autlwetse against Khama’s wish to appoint Seretse Peter Khama as his regent.

 Last year publicly declared his discontentment towards Serogala and called on Bangwato and the royal family not to recognize him as the regent after Kgosi Sidiegeng Kgamane was fired by the government.

Kgamane has been Bangwato regent for 34 years after he ascended to the throne in March 1988.

The aggrieved royal uncles are also grappling with pain to address kgotla meetings but note that that is impossible accusing Serogola of conniving with government to delay them access to Kgotla.

Autlwetse last year issued an instruction to Bangwato regent that no kgotla meetings should be convened by Bangwato aimed at discussing issues between Khama and the government, noting that the meetings amount to politics. He also said whoever want to use kgotla must inform Serogola as a regent.

Contacted for comment, Khama furiously said Serogola has never made any effort to consult him on anything, adding that its not surprise to expect to do so as he don’t recognize Serogola.

“He has clearly shown that he has no responsibility to or for the people as he is just another BDP CAVA plant masquerading as the tribal authority in an attempt to enhance their election prospect which fail dismally,” said Khama briefly responding to this publication enquiries on Friday.

Attempts to get a comment from Serogola hit a snag on Friday as he didn’t respond to the enquiries sent to his WhatsApp number and he could neither answer calls into his phone.

Politics

Meanwhile, political analyst Kitso Morekisi said bogosi in GaMmangwato has been tainted by politics that borders between Botswana Patriotic Front (BDP) and the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

He said since 2019 elections following president Mokgweetsi Masisi and Khama fallout, bogosi in Serowe has been subjected to political abuse as both leaders relied on it to influence election results.

Khama left BDP to form BPF and later on decampaigned the BDP across GaMmangwato riding on his influence as Kgosikgolo backed by Bangwato and that resulted in BDP losing all Serowe constituencies.

“Khama in 2019 enjoyed close ties with Serogola when BPF was formed. BDP hardly enjoyed the support of bogosi until last year when Kgamane was fired and Serogola taking over. Khama and BPF may be now worried that Serogola is working within government confines it recognized him as a regent,” he added.

Morekisi also said it is important for Khama and Serogola to seal peace pipe as their indifferences together with other senior Bangwato royals have the potential to divide Bangwato for many years.