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The Democratic Alliance in North West will write a letter to the Premier Supra Mahumapelo and MEC for Arts, Culture and Traditional Affairs, Tebogo Modise, urging them to release a report, concluding who should lead the Barlong Boo Modiboa Tribe.

There is a dispute on who the lawful chief is and after an investigation and various promises by the provincial government, no report on the issue was made public to date.

Nearly 400 members of the tribe gathered with the DA last week requesting support in their quest to get Mr. Prince Keorapetse Motlhako acknowledged as the valid and true chief of the tribe.

This investigation started in 2013 and despite promises by the former MEC Thandi Modise, that the matter would have been resolved in two weeks, the outcome of the investigation is still a secret.

The Commission of Traditions Leadership Disputes and Claims in North West confirmed in a letter dated 1 July 2015 “The Commission confirms that it has conducted its investigation on the restoration claim of Barolong boo Modiboa and has concluded the investigation…”

The letter also confirmed that the report has already been handed in, in March 2015 stating: “… the premier will study the report and inform you of the outcome and you will receive a copy of the report”.

The claim by Mr. Motlhako that he is the rightful chief is supported by all the section leaders and headmen in his tribe.

In the meantime a huge cement producing company wrote a letter to the tribe informing them that while the outcome is still pending, no implementation of the undertakings by the company, in terms of the Social and Labour plan (in terms of the mining rights issued) will be executed until issues regarding the election of the Traditional Council has been resolved.

The Democratic Alliance will write these letters and request that the report be tabled in the NWPL.

This community is suffering as they have no proper leadership. Furthermore they suffer economic losses due to the stalling of the premier to read the report and make the findings available.

Issued by DA North West