‘Mantšali Phakoana
Take a ragtag opposition bloc made up of ruthlessly hardcore strategists and lobbyists, a floundering yet obstinate government devoid of political philosophy and instinct, and an overzealous reckless security sector. Mix. Stir well. What do you get? A storm in a tiny thimble.
This more or less sums up the current political atmosphere in Lesotho, where prime minister Samuel Matekane is fighting to fend off a no-confidence vote from an opposition that is smelling blood and going in for the kill.
Matekane also has to contend with insurgency from disillusioned members within his own Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) party which leads the 12-month-old tripartite coalition government.
How it started
Basotho National Party (BNP) leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe filed a motion of no confidence against Matekane-led-coalition government.
The motion was scheduled to be tabled and debated on Monday this week. It was seconded by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Makhaleng, Mootsi Lehata. The motion movers wanted leader of opposition, Mathibeli Mokhothu, to be appointed prime minister.
Opposition parties had made clear their intention to oust Matekane when parliament went on a winter recess. This after they had consistently taken issue with the Matekane-led coalition government, accusing it of lacking direction.
They accused the current government of incompetence, nepotism, corruption and using the security forces to harass opposition Members of Parliament. A few months ago, police detained and questioned some opposition politicians over allegations of intimidating ruling bloc MPs into voting against the government. However, police failed to provide the identities of the victims.
Other key concerns included job losses in the textile industry and the government’s perceived reluctance to establish a safety net for the over 20,000 workers who have been affected.
Court case
On Monday, a few hours before the National Assembly could reconvene to debate the motion and decide the next government, RFP MP for Thaba-Moea constituency, Pusetso Lejone hurled to the Constitutional Court to challenge the motion.
Lejone demanded the motion be put on hold until after the completion of the national reforms, which if successfully implemented would restrict the circumstances in which government may be toppled, among other issues.
The long-awaited reforms were initiated by the Sothern African Development Community, with the aim of stabilising Lesotho’s unstable politics in which several prime ministers have been voted out by shifting coalitions.
The case’s hearing was initially scheduled for October 30, 2023 but was on Wednesday brought forward to October 26. This was after the opposition filed their own counter-application seeking the court to treat the case as a matter of urgency and of great national importance.
The case forced the Speaker of the National Assembly, Tlohang Sekhamane, to postpone the motion, until the court has ruled on the case.
Sekhamane, who is also an RFP member told the MPs on Monday made the ruling that, like similar cases which were not debated in the National Assembly after the likes of social activist Kananelo Boloetse, and MPs Nkaku Kabi and Tefo Mapesela filed court cases that affected the business of the House earlier this year, he was forced to follow a similar culture. He then postponed the motion until the court finalises the case.
“I promise that soon as the court has made a ruling on the matter, this motion will be given priority in line with the procedures and culture of this honourable House,” Sekhamane said.
Veiled threats
In the morning hours of Monday, Matekane made a public statement on radio and national television voicing his concerns about the hurdles his government faces, accusing the opposition of abusing the law to hinder progress and sow discord.
“The usual habit which collapses the government (no confidence motions) before reaching its five-year tenure is back, and this government which I am leading is faced with such.
“We came to power in October 2022, faced with the greatest challenge of restoring hope and peace for the sake of the development of the nation, boosting the economy, as well as maintaining national security.
“Our priority remains the completion and implementation of the national reforms process to build the Lesotho you want,” Matekane noted.
He pointed out that his government had not made any progress on the reforms because some legislators were hell-bent on sabotaging him by continually invoking technicalities of the law.
“I promise that we will do all in our power, as it is our responsibility, to maintain peace and stability, as well as striving for progress in completing the national reforms,” he added.
Later in the day, the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) and the National Security Services (NSS) issued a joint statement vowing not to allow Matekane to be ousted in a no-confidence vote.
The statement was prepared by the Commissioner of Police, Holomo Molibeli, LDF Commander, Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela and NSS director, Pheello Ralenkoane.
Reading the statement, Molibeli declared that ousting Matekane in parliament through a no-confidence vote would never see the light of day.
He said the MPs’ move to remove the current three-party coalition government (RFP, Movement for Economic Change (MEC) and Alliance for Democrats (AD) was motivated by selfish interests and hunger for power, and was not in the interest of the nation.
“We declare that Lesotho will never go back there. We will work with the government and the nation at large to protect the image of this country and maintain the confidence of investors.
“The people have directed that the Constitution be amended. We will protect this mandate.
“We therefore, notify you that those actions of change of government in parliament will never happen. What will take place is the completion of the national reforms process, nothing else,” Molibeli said.
In an interview with theReporter on Wednesday, National University of Lesotho political analyst, Professor Motlamelle Kapa said it was inappropriate for security agencies to intervene in political affairs.
He noted that the statement paints the agencies as ‘politicians’ while they are the public servants who are not in any way allowed to actively take part in political activities.
Their role was to protect the nation and its property, he pointed out.
“Security agencies should not in any case be seen or proclaim themselves as politicians. They should also stay away from parliamentary affairs. They have to remain neutral as they protect us and property,” said Professor Motlamelle.
Govt in minority
Sixty-one MP on Monday announced at a press conference that they have enough numbers to oust Matekane.
The legislators wrote to the Speaker asking him to apprise the Council of State of the new configuration of numbers.
“Please find attached herewith sixty-one (61) Members of Parliament, which constitutes the new configuration of numbers in the National Assembly in support of Honourable Mathibeli Mokhothu as new prime minister.
“We beseech you to make the numbers known to the Council of State and office of His Majesty,” reads the letter.
Matekane faces internal insurgency
The MPs included the three belonging to Matekane’s own Revolution for Prosperity who were dismissed from the party namely; Thuso Makhalanyane of Abia constituency, Mahali Phamotse of Matlakeng constituency and Rethabile Letlailana of Lithoteng constituency.
The trio were dismissed from the party for alleged insubordination and disagreeing with some party decisions. Their dismissal came in the midst of a court battle contesting their suspension.
The three legislators had accused their party of failing to honour its election campaign promises and failing to follow through on promises to reduce the M5000 petrol allowances for MPs. They maintained that the RFP had pledged to eliminate biasness in the recruitment of government officials and prioritise meritocracy, but had dismally failed.
The Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisation (LCN) an umbrella organisation for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Lesotho, Law Society of Lesotho, and Advocates for Supremacy of the Constitution (Section 2) and the Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) have expressed concern over what they described as security agencies’ interference in political affairs.
LCN said it is not the business of the security sector to determine what happens in parliament.
It further noted that a manner in which parliament transact its business while acting within the realm of its jurisdiction until challenged and awarded; and them (parliamentarians) acting within the realm of their jurisdiction, does not equate to any criminality for which the security institutions may need to be involved.
LCN further called on the security bosses to refrain from involving their agencies in matters which once drove this country into instability.
The Law Society advices that it is paramount for security agencies to remain within the bounds of their constitutional mandate, and refrain from overstepping into the realm of political decision-making.
“It is imperative to underscore that security agencies have a crucial role in preserving the peace and security of the nation, a responsibility that is sacred and non-partisan,” it adds.
