By OBAKENG MAJE
29 October 2024- Former ANC ward councillor, Tebogo Morweng, has apologised to the people of Magogong village, near Taung, after allegedly calling them illiterate and empty-minded. This comes after a voicenote that depict Morweng’s voice leaked to the public.
Morweng’s remarks were made after community members allegedly embarked on protest and burned a traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu to death, torched her RDP house and looted tuckshops on 20 October 2024. Mothusiemang-Legodu was accused of kidnapping and killing a girl, Rethabile Molapo (11), for ritual purposes.
Molapo’s charred body was discovered in a pit latrine at an abandoned house.
One of irked community members, Kamogelo Ledwaba wrote on Facebook displaying annoyance and disenchantment towards Morweng’s utterances. Ledwaba said she does not wish bad on Morweng, but she hopes that what is happening in Modutung, will not happen to him.
“Tebogo Morweng o ntshwabisitse ele ruri….I don’t know you closely my guy, even so I had so much respect for you from a distance but I came across a recording of you calling batho ba Modutung illiterate.
“I don’t wish bad on u sir mara I just hope gore se se diragalang ka bana ko motsing wa Modutung ga se go diragalele ka gore le wena as far as I know, o Motsadi. Infact all of us are parents. And this can happen to any of us as parents.” Sic.
However, Morweng said the utterances were blown out of proportion. He said he had a private conversation with one of his friends, who in turn, leaked the voicenote.
“I find it unfortunate that there is a narrative put out there in efforts to tarnish my reputation. I had a conversation with Lorato Moselane like any other conversation we normally have.
“The words that were highlighted such as illiterate and empty-minded, were not directed to the level of education of the people, but it was rather a concern that, we as people are not careful or conscious of how the law works,” said Morweng.
He further said the context of illiteracy was not used to degrade anyone, but to raise an issue of ignorance to how the law works systematically. Morweng added that he was shocked that Moselane went extreme and shared the only portion of the whole conversation, where she was not implicated.
“This is the same person, who was in agreement with the views we engaged on that people cannot be killed regardless of age, gender or any other reason. So, it is sad and disappointing to see that this narrative has given opportunity to people to attack me and my family.
“The Morweng’s family was not part of the conversation between I and Moselane. This is the same family that previously managed to offer their support and their resources (vehicles) to the community after Oratile Mothibi went missing,” he said.
Morweng said he personally does not condone the kidnapping or killing of children in their area. He said he has been visible in supporting and mobilising the community during Mothibi’s case.
“Many can attest that I am in support of the community. However, I condemn the killings and urge the community members to allow the law to take its course. We should also make efforts to assist the police and ensure that justice prevails.
“I will never distance myself from the people of Magogong. I have donated schools and been vocal about various challenges affecting the community such as calling for the re-opening of Magogong Satellite Police Station and clinic to operation in 24 hour basis ,” said Morweng.
The Guardian 