Africa-Press – Lesotho. The faction of All Basotho Convention (ABC) and Democratic Congress (DC) grant coalition along with the alliance parties had joined forces to pronounce
the government’s intention to stay the course despite threats to crumble it. The latest ABC’s move to pull out of the government had brought about uncertainty
and confusion on the future of the government. These developments transpired on Monday this week at the new State House in Maseru. The ABC-DC are main partners in coalition and are joined by Movement for Economic
Change (MEC), Basotho National Party (BNP), Popular Front for Democracy (PFD), Basutoland Congress Party (BCP), National Independence Party (NIP), Marematlou
Freedom Party (MFP) and Reformed Congress of Lesotho (RCL). Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Lesotho (DPL) had in 2020 pulled out of the coalition citing a breach of the agreement.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro said the government remains in power as it enjoys the numbers. He however showed that the Westminster style of
parliament which Lesotho had adopted allows for the government to be toppled down anytime it loses majority in parliament. Present at the press conference were leaders of DC Hon.
Mathibeli Mokhothu, MEC Hon Selibe Mochoboroane, RCL Hon. Keketso Rantšo, BCP Advocate Thulo Mahlakeng, NIP Hon. Kimetso Mathaba, BNP Hon. Machesetsa Mofomobe, PFD Advocate Lekhetho
Rakuoane save for ABC and MFP. The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and DC Leader Hon. Mathibeli Mokhothu also echoed similar sentiments that the government remains and will not collapse as it
enjoys majority support of MPs in parliament, adding that they will continue to lobby other MPs to rally behind the government. Dr Majoro’s government came into power in May 2020 following the collapse of what
was then a 4 * 4 coalition led by ABC with three other parties, Alliance of Democrats (AD), BNP and RCL. At the end of last month, Dr Majoro was faced with pressure to step down.
After losing leadership elections to Hon. Kabi, Dr Majoro tendered his resignation at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) where he held the position of
deputy leader. Since losing these elections, calls for him to step down as a PM had amplified with the incoming leader also pushing for his ouster. There was also a motion of no
confidence on him and his led government which was withdrawn by its mover Hon Tefo Mapesela, the leader of Basotho Patriotic Party (BPP). He had also moved
another motion of no confidence in the PM that is alleged to have been withdrawn before reaching the parliament business committee, however, Mokhotlong No. 79 MP said the motion is still on.
Hon. Mothothu said the government still enjoys a majority commanding 66 MPs. ABC has 21 MPs who support the government, DC 29, MEC 5, BCP 1, NIP 1, PFD 3, RCL 1,
BNP 4 and MFP 1. ABC commands the majority with 34 members out of the 21 who support the PM. The ABC Members of Parliament (MPs) who were present at the press briefing are Dr
Majoro, Hon. Tsoinyane Rapapa, Hon. ‘Matšepo Ramakoae, Hon. Keketso Sello, Hon. Letsitsi Mokoma, Hon. Selemo Mangobe, Hon. Thabo Sophonea, Hon. ‘Mathato
Phafoli, Hon. Halebonoe Setšabi, Hon. Motlohi Maliehe, Hon. Likopo Mahase, Lehlohonolo Moramotse, Hon. Moshe Leoma, Hon. Mohapi Mohapinyane and Hon. Tšeliso Kalake.
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could not immediately verify whether the other five members who were absent from the press conference had agreed as there are said to be 21 MPs who had thrown their weight behind the PM.
Meanwhile, the ABC Chairperson and also Minister of Communications, Science and Technology Hon. Rapapa said they are Hon. Mankoe Maime, Hon. Lepota Sekola, Hon.
Tšoeu Molise, Hon. Semano Sekatle and Hon. ‘Matebatso Doti. The ABC caucus had written a withdrawal letter from the government to the Speaker of the National Assembly, the move which failed to see the light of the day
resulting in commotion at the august house which had disrupted the budget speech to proceed smoothly. The Speaker, Sephiri Motanyane had asked them to
floor-cross and occupy the opposition allocated seats in the house but they remained on the government side. This move was championed by the faction aligned to the party leader, while the PM
aligned faction distanced itself from the move to pull out of government. In an attempt to halt government operations so that it collapses, the MPs have
prevented the budget allocation heads from proceeding. Mokhothu who is the Leader of the House said the MPs by preventing the budget in committees do not
have the right to do so but what they can only do is to decrease the budget allocation for heads after scrutiny. He said theirs in the committees is to scrutinise the budget then compile the
report which will be tabled before the house and if they fail to do so, the house may convene a committee of supply and vote for the passage of both the
budget and appropriation bill. ABC Spokesperson Montoeli Masoetsa said the ABC MPs who participated at the press conference “do not support” the party but support Dr Majoro.
Asked, if there are two centres of powers within the party, he said yes adding that there is a faction aligned to the leader and the other one rally behind
Thetsane No. 33 MP. Despite the Chairperson’s presence at the press conference, Mosoetsa said the party’s NEC did not know of any such meeting. The country is headed for the general elections later in September and the life of the 10th parliament is expected to end in June to prepare for the elections.
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