“Meshack Lekhuleni has been expelled from the Bakgatla ba Lekhuleni royal family’s committee a long time ago,” said the family’s spokesperson Aaron Skosana as he spoke to Tshwane Talks in an exclusive interview recently.
“As the royal family we no longer have confidence in Meshack Lekhuleni because instead of acting in good faith for the family regarding land claims, Meshack Lekhuleni has actually been doing things for his own personal benefit,” he said.
According to Skosana, Meshack Lekhuleni goes around apportioning numerous pieces of land for a fee under the guise of being in charge of distributing the said land on behalf of the Lekhuleni tribe.
“He has caused lots of confusion and animosity and we no longer have confidence in him as members of the Lekhuleni clan,” said Skosana.
He revealed that Meshack Lekhuleni has given free land to some residents behind the local Shell petrol station and that he often holds secret meetings regarding apportioning land and that the Lekhuleni clan doesn’t know anything about decisions taken at such meetings.
“Meshack is only a grandchild in the Lekhuleni royal family but he goes around in the community pretending he is the chief of the tribe while the truth is that he was removed from his position as chairperson of the land claims committee after his wayward behaviour was discovered by the Lekhuleni royal family,” said Skosana.
“The Lekhuleni royal family doesn’t know anything whatsoever about the pieces of land that Meshack has given to several people, ” stressed Skosana.
He emphasised that organisations such as AfriForum are vehemently opposed to the clan’s land claims and that Meshack Lekhuleni also contributed to the delay with his self-centred behaviour.
“As the Lekhuleni royal family and its members we have claimed the whole of Pretoria as our own as it belongs to our clan historically,” said Skosana.
“There are other land claimants who have filed their claims under the tutelage of the Lekhuleni royal family,” he said.
Skosana appealed to the courts and the government to spread up the Lekhuleni land claims matter; pointing out that several members of the clan and those in the royal family have died before realising their dream of seeing the Lekhuleni royal family being compensated for the land of their ancestors.
Responding to queries by Tshwane Talks regarding the Lekhuleni royal family matter, Advocate Jurg Prinsloo said the following:
“From 2009 we started working on the Bakgatla ba Lekhuleni land claim and the Regional Land Claims Commissioner has been opposing this claim ever since.”
He said the delay in finalising the Lekhuleni land claim matter was caused by those opposing the claim, thus necessitating numerous applications to the High Court by the Lekhuleni royal family in order to protect their rights.
He added that the passing of two successive senior traditional leaders of the Lekhuleni royal family also caused the said delay.
He also pointed out that Meshack Lekhuleni’s conduct necessitated intervention by the royal family and that members of the Bakgatla ba Lekhuleni recognise Zondi Daniel Lekhuleni as the chief of the tribe and not Meshack Lekhuleni.
“Our advice to members of the Lekhuleni clan is to remain steadfast and loyal to their traditions because their goodwill towards the people in the areas covered by their land claim is noted and appreciated,” said Advocate Prinsloo.