TRIBESMEN CHEER EXILED CHIEF ON RETURN HOME

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23219, 3 April 1950, Page 7

TRIBESMEN CHEER EXILED CHIEF ON RETURN HOME

CAPE TOWN, March 31

Seretse Khama, the exiled chief of the Bamangwato tribe, arrived at Gaberones .today at the end of his flight from London back to Bechuanaland.

The police formed a cordon around the airstrip but there were no incidents. Seretse was greeted by headmen and tribesmen whom the British administration had allowed on the aerodrome.

Seretse will drive by car the last part of his journey, the 50 miles to Lobatsi, which is in Bechuanaland, but outside the Bamangwato reserve. Earlier today when his plane touched down at Francistown for breakfast, Seretse drove in triumph for two miles along a route lined with cheering tribesmen.

The police in Serowe (Bechuanaland) last night banned the planned tribal welcome for Seretse Khama, following the discovery of an alleged plot by friendly tribesmen to kidnap the exiled chieftain on arrival by plane at Gaberones today from London.

British officials declined to confirm the kidnapping report but it is known that the authorities had previously decided that Seretse could be given a traditional tribal welcome upon his arrival. This decision lias now been reversed and police reinforcements have been sent to Gaberones. Reports in Gaberones say that the tribesmen planned to seize Seretse when the plane landed and rush him in a waiting car to the remote Bamangwato reserve where he could be hidden almost indefinitely unless (he authorities were prepared to risk bloodshed and possible widespread disturbances.

The police are reported to be laying roadblocks in an effort to prevent any development of the plan. The tribesmen will not be allowed near the plane.