By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – The Kholokoe Royal Council has issued media statement condemning the illegal occupation of sacred land by self-proclaimed King Letsitsa III, who was accompanied by members of the MK Party and former President Jacob Zuma during a visit to Sterkfontein Dam on 28 April.
In the statement dated 30 April 2025, the Council described the actions as a gross insult to the Kholokoe nation and a violation of their legally recognized tribal authority led by Morena Paulos Moloi and his traditional council, by Seka Lukas Moloi. The Kholokoe Traditional council accused King Letsitsa III, who refers to himself as the “Third”, of repeated acts of trespassing and intimidation, despite ongoing complaints and legal action.
The Kholokoe Traditional council expressed the following; “This clearly shows disrespect and an insult to the Kholokoe Nation and the legally recognised Tribal Authority,” the statement reads. “To date, this person is just doing as he likes.”
The Council has urged the Free State Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), as well as law enforcement agencies, to take urgent action under Section 7(9) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act of 2019, warning that continued inaction could fuel lawlessness in the region.
The legally recognized Tribal Authority Morena Paulos Moloi of the Kholokoe traditional council.
Weighing in on this matter, the Democratic Alliance (DA) echoed similar concerns. Free State DA leader Roy Jankielsohn welcomed Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae’s condemnation of the incident and criticized the double standards in policing.
“The SAPS must act without fear or favour against all offenders, whether provincial government, municipal, or private property. The MK Party’s presence constituted trespassing, intimidation, and economic sabotage,” Jankielsohn stated.
Maluti-a-Phofung DA councillor Alison Oates added that the self-proclaimed king has been illegally claiming land and collecting rent from local businesses in Harrismith, despite a 2020 court order prohibiting him from asserting any traditional authority.
“This fake king is not recognized by Codesa and is helping himself to whatever he feels like. He’s even delivered letters to businesses demanding rent,” Oates said.
As political and traditional leaders call for swift legal enforcement, the community of Maluti-a-Phofung watches closely.
