By REGINALD KANYANE
Two men are expected to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday for two counts of assault and intimidation. It is alleged that one of the Re Aga Taung civic organisation leaders assaulted the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane at the tribal authority’s offices on Friday during a commotion.
RATCO members embarked on unprotected march and submitted a memorandum of grievances to the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority offices on Friday. They demanded that Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane be dethroned from his chieftaincy position.
RATCO leader, Disco Lebitse said: “We were supposed to hand over the memorandum to Mankuroane’s family as we call for the removal of Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane from his chieftaincy. We believe that he failed and he continues to neglect his duties as the chief.
“The Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Council’s administration is marred with corruption, fraud and maladministration under his stewardship. There are so many challenges such as divergence in land allocation, selling of land to foreign nationals, businesses operating in Taung without following legislation measures and projects stoppage.”
Lebitse said the loss of trust of the traditional authorities by citizens has occurred. He said Mankuroane failed them despite traditional authority being the custodian of the Batlhaping community.
North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said that the march was not authorised. She said a meeting was held on Thursday prior to the incident.
“Police were called to the Tribal Authority’s office after about 20 people, who claimed they came to remove Mankuroane invaded the vicinity. The police intervened and calm was restored.
“Two suspects were arrested and Public Order Police were on the scene to monitor situation. The situation was back to normalcy,” she said.
The Guardian 