By Celani Sikhakhane
- Dr Tebogo Mokope Modjadji-Kekana accused Motshekga of unlawfully continuing to guard Queen Modjadji VII after she turned 18.
- Motshekga says the Queen, now 21, lives with his family only while studying and makes her own decisions as monarch.
Prof Mathole Motshekga has denied claims that he is unlawfully controlling the affairs of Queen Modjadji VII of the Balobedu nation, calling the accusation “fake and fraudulent.”
The claims were made by Dr Tebogo Mokope Modjadji-Kekana, who describes herself as the Queen’s aunt and runs the Rain Queen Modjadji Foundation. She alleged that Motshekga continues to act as the Queen’s guardian through the Maulwe Royal Court, a traditional council he founded, despite the Queen turning 18 around four years ago.
Motshekga told Scrolla.Africa on Monday that the Queen is 21, recognised by the President, and no longer under anyone’s guardianship. He said she lives with his family only because she is studying, has her own office in Bolabedu, and has her own bodyguards, with his wife only stepping in to arrange protection when needed. He said the Queen makes her own decisions and attends state and kingdom ceremonies alone, without input from his family.
Dr Mokope Modjadji-Kekana’s Foundation has said it distances itself from any attempt by the Maulwe Royal Court to present itself as aligned with or representing the Foundation or the Modjadji Royal Family.
The Queen’s own office separately distanced itself from Dr Mokope Modjadji-Kekana’s Foundation in a statement issued on 28 June, saying it has no ties to the Queen or her administration.
This is not the first legal battle involving Motshekga and the Modjadji royal house.
In August last year, a faction led by Prince Mpapatla Modjadji, the late Queen Modjadji VI’s brother, took Motshekga to the Pretoria High Court seeking to stop him from acting in any representative role within Balobedu royal structures.
Pictured above: Professor Mathole Motshekga.
Image source: X
