We will ‘cow-up’ the N8

Members of the Barolong-Bo-Seleka Clan in Thaba Nchu said they will block the N8 with all the cows they own if they do not receive a report regarding their chieftaincy. Emotions were running high during a meeting where members said they are giving Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, a week to present the report.“We will ‘cow-up’ the N8 and block it. No traffic – ambulances, buses or cars – will be let through. Magashule will have to come with a helicopter to come and hand over the report,” said 68-year-old Morena Ncamane. Members of the community said they are tired of waiting for the report that followed a commission of enquiry into who should be crowned as their chief.Royal Council spokesperson, Kenosi Mojanaga, said they have been waiting for two years since the establishment of a commission of enquiry into their chieftaincy. He said members of the clan have been fighting for the revision of the chieftaincy since 1994, but to no avail.“For years after talking to the Free State provincial government, members of the Royal Council approached the Public Protector. Just as the Public Protector would start an investigation, Magashule announced the establishment of a commission of enquiry in November 2014. The Royal Council made a presentation to the Tolo Commission and members of the clan attended a public hearing during which they could give their inputs. But, two years later, the clan is still struggling with uncertainty as the provincial government is missing each and every deadline to release the report as promised. Community members said their pleas for the release of the report are falling on deaf ears and this seems to be an excuse for the non-delivery of service to the community. If we want to apply for a stand, we should be doing so at the Traditional Council. But the Traditional Council is referring us to the municipality,” said Maria Morite.Another member, Tebogo Maseola, said this year in August, during the visit of President Jacob Zuma’s election campaign in Thaba Nchu, some of the members of the clan decided to picket at the event to demand the release of the report or a hearing with the president. “But instead of listening to our concerns, some ANC members and marshalls at the event attacked us. The incident became violent and one of our elderlies had his leg broken in the attack,” said Maseola.This was confirmed by 60-year-old Alpheus Modisenyane, who is now limping after the incident. He said they opened cases of assault with the police, but have not received feedback ever since. – CATHY DLODLO
cathy@centralmediagroup.co.za