George Mokate Ramafoku is the only person, banished post-1948, who was also banished prior to 1948.
His banishment order, of 8 May 1935, notes that Chief Solomon Mabi made complaints against fifteen members of the community and that an inquiry was held at Pilansberg, Western Transvaal (now North West Province) on 25 March 1935.
The 15 members were alleged to be ‘creating a feeling of hostility’ against Chief Solomon Mabi; ‘usurping’ his powers; ‘interfering’ in community ‘matters to the detriment of the Batlako’; ‘opposing the said Chief and his councillors in”¦administrative matters’; ‘holding meetings in conflict with recognised tribal law and custom’; ‘insulting the said Chief at public meetings’ and ‘failing to attend”¦meetings when summoned’ by the Chief.
Ramafoku was accused of being one of six main antagonists and it was recommended that he and the other 14 community members should be banished.
An order of 9 September 1949, again banished Ramafoku, the previous order being revoked on 14 May 1952. Acting Chief Mokgatle Mabe’s service was terminated and Jeremiah Mabe was appointed Chief. During Mogatle Mabe’s reign, there were ‘reports of victimisation, strong-arm methods, and hut-burnings.’
Another order, dated 19 December 1955, which banished Ramafoku from Mabieskraal (Pilansberg), Rustenburg District, Western Transvaal (now North West Province) to Vryburg, Western Transvaal (now North West Province) was rejected by the Supreme Court on the basis that ‘the Natives concerned were not afforded the opportunity of showing cause why they should not be removed.’
Following an amendment to the 1927 Native Administration Act, which allowed the government to banish people without giving prior notice, Ramafoku was then banished to Driefontein Native Trust Farm,Vryburg District on 6 June 1956.
He died of cancer on 18 December 1970, in a hospital at Vryburg. There is no evidence that his order of 6 June 1956 was ever revoked.