A judgement handed down in the Limpopo High Court in favour of Malesela Dikgale last Thursday left the group challenging him for the kingship in shock as they claim that Dikgale is not the rightful heir.
The group, led by Margaret Dikgale whose son Randi Dikgale is said to be the right person for the position, is currently weighing the option of appealing to the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa. Margaret’s legal representative, Moloko Phooko indicated that they were disappointed by the judgement and added that he would seek a second opinion from his colleagues to take the ruling for appeal.
Giving a brief history of the kingship of Ga-Dikgale, Phooko said after the death of the late kgoshi Randi Dikgale the community married a woman to give birth to a son who would become the next king. He further said Malesela was appointed as acting king in 1992 and in 1995 permanently appointed by then Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi, a step that took the community by surprise. Phooko stressed that they wanted the position to be held by the right person, the one born for this duty.
Magoshi Swaranang Movement spokesperson Phauwe Mphahlele also opposes the judgement and claimed that Malesela’s position as chairperson for Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders was too political and the case was not supposed to be handled in Limpopo because ‘he is able to influence decisions’. He was however, confident that they would get better results as they are planning to challenge the ruling elsewhere ‘where Malesela can’t influence the judgment’.
When contacted for a comment, Malesela claimed to be unaware of the other party’s intention to challenge the judgement. He did however stated that his team is ready for anything. He opted not to comment any further.
When the two parties appeared before Limpopo Judge President Ephraim Makgoba recently, a group in solidarity with Malesela that identified themselves as members of the African National Congress Youth League (Ancyl) in Solomondale ward 32 caused commotion at the entrance of the court building as they were denied entry by security guards because they didn’t have identity documents with them.
Earlier, ANC ward 32 Branch Executive Committee member, Jimmy Cgina highlighted that they support Malesela and were confident that the judgement would be made in his favour.
Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
