STORY: Joseph Mokoaledi EDITOR: Henry Henz
I’M A monarchy. I’m government!
This was the declaration of the king of the Bakholokoe tribe in Harrismith, Free State.
King Letsitsa Moloi III claimed that Bakholokoe are the rightful owners of the 550 000 hectares of land that cuts across the Free State, KZN and Mid-Vaal.
According to Moloi, Bakholokoe elders bought the land with 9 450 cows from England in 1907 after their battle.
“The delegation that went to England included Josiah Tshangana Gumede, John Langalibalele Dube, Martin Luthuli, Letlatsa Moloi and Polao Moloi.
“We, the Bakholokoe nation, declare that we are a sovereign and free society, with all the rights and privileges to form a government under the monarchy of King Letsitsa Moloi the third,” said Moloi.
The king set the record straight that he does not recognise the new Constitution of South Africa, but considers the one of 1919.
He wrote a letter to the Presidency and the Department of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) notifying them about declaring the Bakholokoe as a sovereignty.
Presidential spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, said Cogta will be the most appropriate department to respond.
Cogta spokesman, Legadima Leso, said the king’s letter spoke about the repositioning of the land, which has nothing do with the department.
“All land matters should be referred to the Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs, as well as the involved municipalities. Remember, the Tolo Commission have never found Bakholokoe kingship as a legitimate kingdom during the findings on traditional leadership claims and disputes,” Leso said.
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