Ba-Phalaborwa kingship claim reignites family dispute
A Ba-Phalaborwa kingship dispute has resurfaced, with Matome Motseo claiming his family’s lineage was unjustly denied the throne.
PHALABORWA – Matome Sello Motseo is calling for the restoration of the Ba-Phalaborwa kingship to what he claims is the rightful family lineage. He believes the throne was unjustly taken from his grandfather, Pokela Joseph Malatji (Motseo), following the death of Makhushane Paipai Malatji in 1925.
In a letter to the Herald, Motseo asserts that his grandfather, Pokela, the firstborn son of the “candle wife” of Paipai Malatji, who ruled between 1900 and 1925, was the rightful heir to the throne. However, he alleges that Pokela’s half-brother, Mokgale July Malatji, forcefully usurped the kingship.
“Pokela was born into royal blood. His succession was clear,” Motseo said. “But Mokgale refused to accept this and launched an internal power struggle to seize control.”
According to Motseo, the conflict turned violent. He claims that Mokgale attacked Pokela with an axe, seriously injuring him. Pokela survived the assault and fled into exile in Bolobedu, near Tzaneen. Motseo further alleges that his grandfather was later poisoned and died in 1948, a quiet and tragic end for a man he believes was the rightful king.
Pokela left behind a 4-year-old son, Elijah Joseph Motseo, Matome’s father, who never inherited the throne. “He was betrayed by his own blood,” Motseo said. Motseo says he has tried to resolve the issue through peaceful dialogue. He claims to have reached out to the current Ba-Phalaborwa Royal Family in Makhushane, including Vincent and Barrent Malatji, in an attempt to arrange a meeting, but says he has received no response.
He also took the matter to the Office of the Premier and the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), who told him that the case had been handed over to an investigative committee. However, he says no further updates have been provided since.
When contacted by the Herald, Kgosi Vincent Malatji stated that he does not know Motseo. “If he wants the kingship, he must take the matter to the High Court.”
At the time of publication, the Herald was still awaiting a response from Amos Phago of CoGHSTA.
