The Bechuanaland Imbroglio
The three British observers commissioned by .Mr. Gordon- Walker, Secretary for Commonwealth Relations, to visit Bechuanaland, investigate the affairs of the Bamangwato people and report have at the end of their labours left the situation, which was bad enough already, substantially worse than they found it Differences have been accentuated at every point —between the three observers themselves, between the observers and the local British officials and, most of all, between the. rival sections of the Bamangwato themselves. The kgotla at which Tshekedi was to have put his own case has not been held. The one man who seems to have come through the whole enquiry without loss of dignity or reputation is Tshekedi himself. He has, by any criterion, suffered serious injustice. Mr. Lipson, the chair- man of the committee of observers, whose own reputation for independence and integrity of judgement should ensure respectful attention for whatever report he may present to the Common- wealth Secretary, said plainly that owing to the flagrant intimida- tion of his followers Tshekedi had not had a fair deal.' Yet out of the whole sorry business, which began to be mismanaged long before the idea of sending out observers ever arose, one con- clusion does emerge incontestably. The only solution that may save the situation is to approve the return of both Seretse and - Tshekedi to their tribe. There is every indication that Seretse is desired as Chief—he is indeed the only lawful Chief—of the Bamangwato, and his assumption of that office would dispose finally of any suggestion that Tshekedi was aspiring to the chief- tainship, and therefore of any objection to Tshekedi's return. The question now is whether Mr. Gordon-Walker will reconcile himself to taking a step he has hitherto firmly declined to take.
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