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The fate of reform in Lesotho depends on the conscience of legislators across the political spectrum and their willingness to serve the country.
This is according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Limpho Tau, who further stressed that “each legislator has the responsibility to act responsibly” when voting on provisions of the omnibus bill that require a two-thirds majority to pass.
Mr. Taulesotho times Last night, he and Prime Minister Sam Matheken delivered a speech entitled “Promoting innovation to unlock opportunities for sustained economic growth and development towards industrialization in the Southern African Development Community”.
The SADC communique issued at the end of the summit noted that Lesotho had made “positive progress” in national reforms and further urged the Mattcairn government and political parties in parliament to “speed up the passage of the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Amendments to the Constitution Bill, 2024 (the Omnibus Bill)”.
The Summit also commended the SADC Group of Elders and the Mediation Reference Group, led by former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, for their “continued support to the comprehensive reform process in the Kingdom of Lesotho” and further reiterated its support for the successful completion of the reform process.
However,lesotho times It is reported that Lesotho Prime Minister Matt Kane said at the Southern African Development Community summit that although the Lesotho government has made progress in promoting the reform process, the Lesotho opposition still insists on not fully participating in the reform until all their demands are met, such as removing Army Commander Lieutenant General Mohalefa Letesola from the military leadership position.
In this regard, the summit told Mr. Matt Kane that the SADC Elders had conveyed these concerns and that the regional body would continue to engage with the opposition.
However, Mr. Tau toldlesotho timesThe government will not consider currying favor or “buying votes of the opposition party” as those are “cheap and mediocre politics and not worth considering.”
After all, all lawmakers know why they are in Parliament, and it would be a shame if the reforms fail to pass before them “when they have had ample opportunity to participate”, Mr Tao said.
The opposition parties have always maintained that they will not vote for the two-thirds majority clause unless the government meets their conditions.
In October 2023, the opposition condemned a joint statement issued by the country’s three security agency chiefs as “intimidating”. Former Police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli, former National Security Service (NSS) Director General Pheello Ralenkoane and Lieutenant General Letsoela instructed opposition lawmakers to abandon the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Matekane and instead focus on completing the reform process. They vowed not to allow a change of government unless the reforms are completed. The government has so far refused to accept such demands.
The omnibus bill is divided into three parts, namely, the Tenth Amendment, which contains provisions that require a simple majority vote to pass; the Eleventh Amendment, which requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass; and the Twelfth Amendment, which requires a two-thirds majority vote and a referendum because of the dual constitutional provisions.
Justice Minister Richard Lamoletsi introduced the Tenth and Eleventh Amendments in the National Assembly on the 6thdayMay 2024. Pursuant to Standing Order No. 51(5), the Bill was referred to the relevant Portfolio Committee for consideration.
The National Assembly is currently considering the 10th Amendment Bill of 2024 to the Constitution, which contains a simple majority clause.
It is in this context that Mr. Tao toldlesotho timesfor reforms to be effective, the personal conscience of legislators is required.
Those who want to sabotage reforms to hit Matt Cain are simply unfit to be MPs and hopefully those who elected them to serve the country will monitor them and hold them to account in the future.
“Every MP in Parliament votes according to his or her conscience. We will not buy off any MP. When we reach amendments like these (which require a two-thirds majority), every MP will vote as he or she sees fit and will not bother trying to be bought off to support the reforms,” Mr Tao said.
“When the 12th Amendment comes, we will decide when we get there. Every member of Parliament knows why they go to Parliament and must act responsibly…
“Each MP will vote according to his or her own opinion on things. Even if it is a government MP, there are MPs who can refuse to vote according to their conscience. No one can be forced or bribed to support reforms.
“Each MP will vote as he or she wishes. If we can get the two-thirds majority we want, then the terms are good. But if we don’t get the two-thirds majority, the reforms will fail.”
Mr Tao said every MP would feel guilty when “reforms failed during their tenure as MPs”, but they had the opportunity to fully participate in pushing the reforms to completion.
“How will they feel if reforms fail on their watch?” he asked.
“Look at the opposition party, the ABC. They have declared their support for reform. This is a matter of conscience for the MPs. We also have the Southern African Development Community, which has pledged to support the Lesotho government until the final outcome.”
He recounted how Mr. Matt Kane briefed the SADC Troika on the reforms on Friday afternoon. The Troika then submitted a comprehensive report to the SADC summit.
“In presenting the reform report, he had the support of former Tanzanian President Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who presented the expert report,” Mr Tau said.
“He (Dr Kikwete) said there has been progress in the reforms and they were put forward.”
Mr. Tao said the plan is to pass the Tenth Amendment by the end of August.
“It is expected that by the end of August, the Tenth Amendment should have been passed by the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate. The Troika endorsed the report and pledged to continue to assist the Government of Lesotho,” he said.
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