CHIEF REINSTATED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18206, 29 September 1933, Page 7

CHIEF REINSTATED

BECHUANA AFFAIR FLOGGING OF WHITE MAN CONTEOVERSY SETTLED (British Official Wireless.) Roc. noon. RUGBY, Sept. 28. In accordance with the advice of tho Secretary for Dominion Affairs, tho King has been graciously pleased to terminate tho period during which Chief Tishekedi is suspended, from the exerci.se of tho functions’ of actingehiof of Bamangwalo, ia Bochuanaland. Chief Tshekedi will ho reinstated as acting-chief at Serowe by the High Commissioner as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.

The -decision follows full consideration of tho case in which Chief Tshekedi was suspended after an inquiry had shown that he had exceeded, his powers in flogging a white man, Pliineas Mclntosh, and that in claiming that ho had tho right to do so was attempting to put himself above the law.

A Dominions Office communique states that the High Commissioner has received from Chief Tshekedi a communication, in which he stated: “I had not taken the step, regarding .Mclntosh with tine intention of raising an issue on a point of jurisdiction affecting my court, but I had been compelled in the interests of the just administration and good of my people to order the punishment of Mclntosh. I hereby abandon any right- to deal with a case in which a European is concerned, and I undertake not to deal with any European case in future.

RESULT OF INQUIRY “In order to remove any misapprehension, I did not, and will not, claim to he immune from the laws of the Protectorate as now in force, or as may be hereafter in force. No one could regret more than I do what has occurred, and I desire to assure the High Commissioner that I would at all times work in harmony and loyal co-operation with the administration.”

The High Commissioner ordered a separate enquiry as to whether there had been a failure of the administration to deal adequately with the offences committed by Mclntosh and other Europeans in Serowe. From this enquiry it appears that between 1930 and 1932 one conviction for assault against Mclntosh, and three against McNamee, were obtained. In 1932, complaints by Chief Tshekedi and others as to the association of Mclntosh and McNamee with native women were temporarily dropped oiving to the acting-chief s failure to respond to requests to collect evidence and the absence of evidence justifying action. In March, 1933, on a complaint from a European resident, the magistrate severely reprimanded Mclntosh in the presence of witnesses. No complaint was made to the resident magistrate after this incident. On no occasion did Chief Tshekedi refer to the conduct of these or any other Europeans, nor did lie make any complaint as to the inaction, or inadequate action, by the administration. Nevertheless, in view of the statements in the latter part of Chief Tshekedi’s communication, the High Commissioner has recommended to the Secretary for Dominion Affairs that Hi? Majesty should bo advised to terminate forthwith the period during which Chiei Tshekedi is suspended.