This time, the provincial government is going against the North West High Court which recognised a traditional leader in his leadership position. According to Premier Bushy Maape’s spokesperson, Sello Tatai, the Premier’s Office and Cooperative Governance (Cogta) have since filed a court application to rescind its order that was handed down on 11 August 2022. 

On that day, the High Court judge ruled and declared that Kgalalelo Cawe was the senior traditional leader of the Barolong boo-Ratlou boo-Mokalaka and their recognition as an independent traditional community. However, despite this, Premier Maape says he has undertaken to cooperate with all stakeholders to find a lasting solution for the matter. The province says it is in the traditional leadership dispute of Barolong Ba Ga Mariba (Morokweng).

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“The order was handed down on 11 August 2022. The rescission application effectively suspends the above judgment until the North West High Court determines otherwise.

"Furthermore, the suspension renders anything done or performed in terms of the aforementioned order, unlawful. Premier Kaobitsa Bushy Maape has undertaken to cooperate with all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the above matter. This emanates from the meeting that Premier Maape held with Kgosi Thato Kegakilwe Letlhogile and his delegation, which included the Baga Maiketso and Baga Letlhogile Royal Councils,” Tatai adds.

Meanwhile, on 25 August 2022, Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela and Deputy President, David Mabuza, attended a dialogue with Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders at the President Hotel in Bloemfontein.

The dialogue was part of the broader Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) programme to engage with traditional leadership throughout the country, and this was the turn of the Free State Province to make its contribution to a better and prosperous country.

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