- Says it will not resolve the long-standing discrimination against them
- First demand amendment of the constitution & tribal territory’s act for inclusivity
The marginalised tribes are protesting plans by the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, to review the Bogosi Act of 2008 complaining that the decision will not resolve the long-tstanding discrimination against them.
Their complains resurfaces as the ministry is on a countrywide tour to consult on Bogosi Act of 2008 and Customary Act of 2013 reviews to gather community input on the proposed review of the two Acts.
In the envisaged Bogosi Act, a new structure for traditional leadership will be introduced that will see among other changes, the Kgosikgolo title being incorporated or assimilated into the act.
The aggrieved minority groups are however pushing for government to halt the intended amendment of the Bogosi Act and begin first by reviewing the constitution and the tribal territory’s act which they complain are the ones fuelling discrimination.
The groups, Bayeyi, Basarwa, Bakalaka, Basubiya, Bambanderu and Batswapong have already met to demand equality and for their chiefs to be recongised just like those of the considered eight major tribes.
After being redirected by the Office of the President to engage with the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa sometime in April this year, they are however not pleased that the minister has yet not responded them.
“He called the eight chiefs and they shared their views with him regarding the act. There wasn’t any representative from us hence we want him to also hear our side before the act can be amended. However, we are shocked that despite having written a letter to him, the minister has continued with his consulations snubbing us,” Simon Bojosi, a representative of the group said in an interview.
Though they are in agreement that the Bogosi Act should be reviewed they however believe this is the proper way to start things to ensure that they are also included all they way.
“We are saying the constitution should be amended so that we are equal to the eight tribes, and that is when we can review Bogosi Act together. It should not be reviewed by the chiefs of these eight tribes alone because we don’t want to find a situation where they have done so only in their favour,” he added
Bojosi expressed concerned that by allowing only representatives from the major tribes to be part of the committee overseeing the reviewing of the act will further disadvantage them as they will overlook issues that are discriminatory against them.
Bojosi highlighted that after government recognised the Wayei tribe and their chief in 2016, it however indicated that the recognition will not unduly prejudice the status and operation of the existing tribal administration as per Section 3 of the Bogosi Act.
“After recognising and gazetting our chief they denied him office and wages noting that was only recognition and it should not interfere with the existing structure, meaning he is a sub chief of Batawama paramount chief, because of the act.” He stressed.
He emphasized, “the eight tribes chiefs tasked with reviewing the act will not focus on this issue because they don’t take it as discriminating. That is why we are saying let’s wait first with amendment of the Bogosi Act and allows us to be equal with the major tribes. Then we can review it together to see how it can be amended to accommodate all and is beneficial to the country but not a certain group as it is the case currently.”
Bojosi decried being disadvantaged by this inequality because there is no one responsible for their welfare citing Sect 17. Sub sect1 which states that the function of every Kgosi is to excise his power to promote the welfare of his tribe. He highlighted poor infrastructure, rising human wildlife conflict and poverty in their settlements.
As the new government has praised itself as the one that respects human rights, Bojosi has expressed hope that it will give them an ear to end continued discriminations against them noting that it would be pity if their voices are not heard. The Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs is yet to respond.
