Rustenburg - The Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela in Moruleng used a lawyer trust account to transfer money to Botswana, the Maluleke Commission heard on Wednesday.
Judge George Maluleke is heading a commission probing the chieftaincy of Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela in Moruleng.
The dispute surrounding the chieftaincy of the more than 300,000 Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela in Moruleng, surfaced when paramount chief Kgafela Kgafela II relocated from Botswana to South Africa in May 2012, following charges of assault and legal battles with the government of Botswana.
The Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela is between Botswana and South Africa, the other part is based in Mochudi, Botswana while the other part is in Moruleng in South Africa.
Kgafela II told the commission that the Moruleng office had agreed to pay a once off amount of R5 million to the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela in Mochudi, Botswana, for the care of the paramount chief and his family. The money was also for the use of the paramount chief’s office.
“Kgosi Nyalala Pilane told me that there were some difficulties to transmit the whole R5 million at once, because they need to get permission from the bank, and advised that the money must be paid through a trust fund from Mothuloe Attorneys to kick start the process, once the process was rolling they will opened a trust account to send money to Mochudi.”
He told the commission he was worried in the manner the money was being sent to Mochudi, but Pilane assured him there was no problem in doing so.
Kgafela II said there was an agreement between Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela that the Moruleng office under the leadership of Kgosi Nyalala Pilane would provide funding for the building of the royal residence, official car for the paramount chief and his care as well as his office.
He said his office in Botswana had a monthly expense of 243,737 Pula on salaries only. He earned 50,000 Pula and his was 25,000 Pula.
“The process to build the house was kick started, engineers were consulted but, the house was never build and no car was purchased.”
He said Pilane was handling all payments regarding the building of the house as such he did not know how much was paid to engineers.
Kgafela II said he opened a trust account in Botswana to receive money from Moruleng and further opened the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela Royal Investment company to for the investment of the tribe.
The hearing continues
African News Agency