Tensions were high outside the Gauteng North High Court in Pretoria on Monday, after the court stood the matter down, pending a formal application for postponement by ANC Member of Parliament Mathole Motshekga.
Motshekga’s initial application for postponement from the bar was unsuccessful.
The situation however escalated outside the court as one of the families Motshekga claims to be supporting his case challenging the Modjadji Royal Family, called him out in a heated exchange of words.
Members of the Mokoto family, confronted Motshekga outside court and accused him of defaming the Mokoto family name. The Mokoto clan say Motshekga had no right to involve their esteemed family name in the case, without following proper traditional consultation.
One of the family members, Modjadji Mokoto, emphasised that the Mokoto family are a noble family in the Bolobedu nation and have no interest in the current decision taken by the Modjadji Royal Family as to who should ascend the throne.
“Mathole knows very well that my father’s hut is the Senior House in the Mokoto family. He has constantly been calling secret meetings with my father’s younger brother Walter, who is of the junior house according to our culture”
Modjadji Mokoto said.
Mokoto further said there were allegations that Motshekga has been bribing the junior house of Oliver Mokoto, now led by the son, Walter Mokoto; and that rumour has it Motshekga even bought him a house.
“I am ready to testify before any court on this matter. No decision regarding the Mokoto family can be taken without consulting the Senior Mokoto House, belonging to my late father, Mohale Rufus Mokoto,”
she added.
Another family member who wishes to remain anonymous, said they were shocked to hear of their family name dragged through the mud in multiple media reports, indicating they are in support of Motshekga’s claims and the allegations levelled against him; particularly that he is denying the family of Princess Masalanabo Modjadji, access to their own flesh and blood.
“Those people along with Motshekga have imposed themselves onto our family and we remain puzzled as to who in the family gave them a mandate to speak on our behalf? Our family will never go out to publicly build a wedge between siblings for the sake of power. Greed is at the steering wheel here.”
– Concerned Mokoto family member who wishes to remain anonymous.
“Though we believe there has been a grave error in the past regarding the Kingdom, we are prepared to engage with the Modjadji Royal Family for reparations. Our grandfather was officially recognised as one of the leaders in Bolobedu, who worked well with Queen Makoma Modjadji IV, and we are willing to sit on the table to discuss a reconciliation between the two families, in honour of our father”
– Modjadji Mokoto.
Speaking to Mopani Times, Mokoto family members have outlined that theirs was a battle based on a belief of an erred ascension regarding one of the previous Queens, who in their understanding, wrongfully occupied on the throne. She said they do not however, contest the current generation of the Modjadji Royal Family, ruling in Khetlhakone village.
“Our father Wallace Mokoto ruled alongside the Modjadji family in Khetlhakone, but never will we involve ourselves in degrading public spats with them, let alone collude with someone keeping their own child away from them; such ruthlessness is unheard of.”
Added Modjadji.
The Mokoto family said they have noted the matter and will soon decide on a way forward.