REQUEST FOR URGENT INTERVENTION BY THE PREMIER, MEC OF COGTA AND HOD OF COGTA - NORTH WEST PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA: HONOURABLE NONO MALOYI (ACTING PREMIER AND MEC OF COGTA) AND HONOURABLE DR MOKOTEDI BOLE

BACKROUND

1. We the descendants of Maboloka purchasers (303 - Klipgat JQ243 and now named Maboloka) bought 1941, write this petition to you Sir to emphasise our stand and position that we understand our rights, history and background as well as Sechaba sa Bataung customs.
2. We Bataung Ba Hlalele are the First House in the broader Bataung Nation. The recognition of Tsajoa Family, who are the Basia, not Bataung, as custodian of traditional leadership of Bataung Ba Hlalele is both a calamity and an insult to the Bataung Ba Hlalele and the broader Bataung Nation both in South Africa and abroad.

     3. Our cultural rights as Sechaba sa Bataung Ba Hlalele, Maboloka Village, Brits North West Province, were first violated in 1953 when our chief, Chief Solomon David Lion was deposed and banished to Mount Fletcher in the Eastern Cape by the Apartheid government. His banishment was as a result of his opposition to the Apartheid government and him being a communist. His Lawyer was HM Basner, a communist and Native Representative in the South African Senate.
Before opening his own legal practice in 1952, the late President Nelson Mandela worked for HM Basner Attorneys. Chief Solomon David Lion had actively campaigned for HM Basner both in the Free State and the Transvaal. The other lawyer (for Chief Solomon David Lion) was James Kantoor.

4. John Tumo Tsajoa(SNR) was appointed in 1953 by the Apartheid government and installed in the place of Chief Solomon David Lion; thereby undermining the customs of Sechaba sa Bataung tribe ("Borena ke ba tswalo"). Ever since his banishment in 1953 until his death in 1987, both the Apartheid government and the new Democratic government have not uplifted the banishing orders against Chief Solomon David Lion. If our customs were followed and respected, the chieftaincy was supposed to be kept in the Lion Royal family.

5. The coronation of John Tumo Tsajoa(JNR) is scheduled for 18 November 2023, at Maboloka Village, Brits (Madibeng Municipality).

5.1. With this PETITION, we Sechaba sa Bataung are rising to insist that our cultural rights and traditions be respected as stated in the South African Constitution. We are infuriated and frustrated by the South African government's inaction; where it is apparent that Fraud has been committed in order to remove our Chief and Royal House from their rightful position as custodians of traditional leadership of the Bataung Ba Hlalele tribe.

5.2. With this PETITION, we Sechaba sa Bataung request the Premier, MEC of COGTA and COGTA HOD (North West Province) to stop the coronation of John Tumo Tsajoa, planned to be held on the 18th Nov 2023. He is not our cultural chief; if the coronation continues, it should be somewhere else and not on our land (Maboloka), because he is neither representing us, nor our ancestors.

5.3. With this PETITION; we Sechaba sa Bataung ba Hlalele request the Premier, MEC of COGTA and COGTA HOD (North West Province) to stop the operations of John Tumo Tsajoa and his friends on our land (Maboloka); from portraying himself as our leader whilst knowing that he is not of royal blood. That on its own is a provocation to us.

5.4. With this PETITION; we Sechaba sa Bataung request the Premier, MEC of COGTA and HOD of COGTA to act before an uprising that could lead to bloodshed.

5.5. As Sechaba sa Bataung; we do not accept the bullying and harassment  visited upon us by our own democratically-elected government.