Basarwa of Bodungwane rush to court over eviction threat

The tiny Kgatleng rural village is situated about 35 kilometres south of Artesia through a dirt road. The residents, led by Ompegile Ratsie, Gofaone Leburu, Lorato Leburu and Bonolo Modise, have filed an urgent application through Ndzinge Makhamisa Law Group against the Kgatleng Land Board, the Bodungwane Farmlands Borehole Syndicate, seven members of the syndicate being Ramonaka Ruele, Solomon Ruele, Olefile Ruele, Otukile Ruele and Mphoentle Kwapa and the Deputy Sheriff, Lotty Manyepetsa, arguing that they are facing imminent eviction without a court order. In a founding affidavit before the Lobatse High Court’s Justice Ranier Busang, Ratsie argues that the threatened eviction violates their constitutional rights and ignores legal procedures that require every affected person to be heard before being removed from land they occupy.

“Our homes, livestock, fields, graves and livelihoods are all located at Bodungwane. We have nowhere else to go,” Ratsie states in the affidavit. “Safety first is safety always”– Charles M HayesAs most people begin travelling across the country to spend the President’s Holidays with family and friends, there is every reason to embrace the joy and togetherness that this period brings.While holiday periods bring joy, they are sadly often accompanied by a rise in road accidents, violent incidents and other avoidable tragedies. Too often, families that set out to celebrate together end…