"The premier has decided in terms of Sections 9 (3) and 10 (2) of the North West Traditional Leadership and Governance Act of 2005 to appoint a person to take control of the affairs of the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela Traditional  Council and to exercise the powers of the traditional council including to establish systems and processes for accounting by the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela companies, consulting, accounting and reporting to the community,"  he said.

He was releasing the much awaited report from the Maluleke Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela. 

Former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo instituted the commission chaired by late judge George Maluleke in 2016, to probe allegations of mismanagement and misappropriation of funds by the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela traditional council.

The commission was also tasked with investigating whether David Mpule Pheto was the rightful candidate to lead the Moruleng chapter of Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela.

The Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela is straddled between Botswana and South Africa, the other part is based in Mochudi, Botswana while the other part is in Moruleng in South Africa.

Mokgoro said he would also appoint a forensic investigator to conduct a comprehensive investigation of transactions and the financial affairs of the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela traditional council and its companies.

The released of the report was accompanied by drama. The Office of the Premier issued a statement on Sunday postponing the released of the report in Moruleng.

At lunchtime on Monday, another statement followed confirming that the report would be released about 5pm.  Rustenburg Civic Centre was later confirmed as the venue.

During Mokgoro's presentation of the report, Communal Property Association (CPA) secretary Tshepiso Thebyane called on the premier to halt the proceedings and to allow more people into the event. 

Mokgoro agreed and people who were locked outside were allowed in. 

Reacting to the report, Thebyane said Mokgoro had not touched on the issues the CPA raised, which were that Kgosi (chief) Nyalala Pilane hand over all transactions and that the land affairs hand over all title deeds to the association.

African News Agency (ANA)