Self-proclaimed traditional leaders called out

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana has issued a stern warning to individuals or communities posing as traditional chiefs without having been recognized by the provincial government as stipulated by law.

Dukwana said this during his address at the official opening of House of Traditional Leaders at Thabo Mofutsanyana district municipality on March 1, 2024.

“In the Free State currently, there are only five recognised traditional communities, namely, Bakoena ba Mopeli under Morena e Moholo Moremoholo Mopeli; Batlokoa ba Mota under Morena e Moholo Montoeli Mota; Barolong boo Seleka under Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka, Makholokoe under Morena Paulus Moloi and Batlokwa ba Mokgalong under Kgosi Nkgahle Tsotetsi.

“Any other traditional community or communities, or person or persons other than the ones I mentioned, are not recognized by the Free State Provincial Government and are thus in contravention of section 7(9) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2017 (Act No. 3 of 2019) which provides that ‘any person who is not a recognized leader as contemplated in subsection (1) but purports to be such a leader, is guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine or imprisonment not exceeding three years”.

From right Bakoena king Morena Moremoholo Mopeli,Free State chairperson of house of Traditional Leaders Neo Mopeli, Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, deputy chairperson of Traditional Leaders Kgosihadi Gaongalelwe Moroka and Batlokwa king Morena Montoeli Mota.

His sentiments we echoed by Human settlement and traditional affairs MEC Ketso Makume who explained in depth:
“There are certain individuals who claim to be traditional leaders and go as far as using it to solicit money from communities. We have opened cases against such people. There is a certain process that needs to be followed for one to be recognized as a traditional leader; they must have a history to back up their claim and have communities who follow them.

“You cannot assume roles of traditional leaders while your application has not even been approved by government. For instance, no one applies for a job and the following day we se you going to work. There are due processes.