A local non-governmental organisation (NGO) has expressed concern over Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s recent remarks that there is no inherent right to food.
Matekane told the High Court in his answering affidavit on June 28, 2024 that the government bears no duty to provide food for its people.
He was responding to a constitutional challenge initiated by another NGO, the Christian Advocates and Ambassadors Association, which aims to compel the government to implement food subsidies following the recent price increases of maize meal.
“Life is not dependent only on food as there are other contributory factors. I vehemently deny that a person who has access to food leads a healthy life. One can have access to food and still live an unhealthy life.
“It is noted, however, that Section 25 (of the Constitution) indeed realises that the government, depending on or subject to the limit of its economic capacity and development, may progressively realise the principles as appear under Chapter III,” Matekane said.
He also noted that he was not in a position to state clearly whether the government would subsidize food or not.
This would be dependent on the report, “which I must hasten to add will determine if the government will be in a position to subsidize or not”.
The premier further acknowledged that the Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS) had in November 2023 predicted poor rainfall performance attributable to El-Nino, which affected most of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
As a result of these predictions, the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) had invited relevant stakeholders like government ministries and some international organisations to discuss efforts to reducing risks.
However, the Advocates for the Supremacy of the Constitution (SECTION 2) argues that Matekane’s assertion contradicts fundamental principles of human dignity and welfare.
In a statement this week, the organisation said his suggestion that food security is not a critical component of public welfare overlooks the daily struggles of hundreds of thousands of Basotho who are currently unable to afford basic nutrition.
“It is regrettable that in the face of rising food prices and widespread economic hardship, the government’s response has been dismissive rather than empathetic.
“Prime Minister Matekane’s remarks, as reported, undermine the urgency of addressing the escalating food crisis in our nation. The denial of the linkage between food security and the right to life is not only legally flawed but morally indefensible.
“We reject the notion that the government’s obligation to its citizens can be contingent on economic capacity alone, especially when lives are at stake. It is deeply embarrassing that the government has chosen to oppose meeting its citizens halfway in the High Court,” SECTION 2 indicated.
According to organisation’s perspective, a government that truly respects itself and its people would not undermine their fundamental rights in such a manner.
“To what lengths is the government willing to go to refuse to help its citizens, even as international organisations such as the European Union (EU) step up to provide assistance to Basotho?” the organisation quizzed.
SECTION 2 further argued Matekane and his administration to prioritise the welfare and dignity of all Basotho by swiftly addressing the food security challenges facing the nation.
It added that the government’s unwillingness to help its citizens was not only disappointing, but also calls into question the state’s commitment to the welfare of its own people.
SECTION 2 indicated that as highlighted by recent reports from local and international bodies, including the United Nations (UN), the Southern African region faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis exacerbated by climate-driven challenges.
“Lesotho cannot afford to delay action on implementing a food subsidy programme while waiting for a report that will confirm what is already evident: thousands of our fellow Basotho are going hungry every day.
“Therefore, we call upon the government to immediately reconsider its stance and announce the implementation of a comprehensive food subsidy programme.
“This programme must be inclusive, transparent, and effectively administered to ensure that it reaches those most in need without delay,” the organisation said.
Matekane’s comments come after the European Union (EU) recently announced a contribution of €200,000, which is approximately M4 million in humanitarian funding in Lesotho.
The aid, according to the EU, is aimed at supporting the most vulnerable and affected families in Lesotho, who have been severely impacted by a drought linked to El Niño.
The drought has led to parched crop fields and significant challenges for the local population.
This funding is earmarked to provide critical assistance to more than 2,500 families in four of the most severely affected districts in Lesotho.
These districts include Maseru, Mohale’s Hoek, Qacha’s Nek, and Quthing, which have been particularly hard hit by the drought associated with El Niño.
According to the EU, the assistance will likely include essential support such as food aid, water, sanitation, and other humanitarian relief efforts aimed at alleviating the impact of the drought on vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme last month stated that it requires USD 5.4 million (M99 million) to assist 40,000 households targeted for the upcoming lean season support (October 2024-March 2025).
The WFP Lesotho country office is awaiting the publishing of the Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment and the Integrated Acute Food Insecurity Phase Classification (IPC) analysis which will indicate the magnitude of food insecurity for the consumption year 2024/2025.
WFP aims to assist 40,000 people annually in rural and urban settings, informed by IPC analysis and multidimensional child poverty analysis.
This figure is based on recent funding levels, the government’s commitment to social assistance programmes and the share of people in need reached by other humanitarian actors.
Of the 40,000 beneficiaries annually, 21,200 will be women and girls.
