{"id":36679,"date":"2023-12-08T18:15:29","date_gmt":"2023-12-08T18:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/opposition-says-its-game-on"},"modified":"2023-12-08T18:28:32","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T18:28:32","slug":"opposition-says-its-game-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/opposition-says-its-game-on","title":{"rendered":"Opposition says it\u2019s game on!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. <\/strong><\/span>It\u2019s game on! The opposition says it is still pushing the no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Sam Matekane despite losing the support of the Basotho Action Party (BAP).<\/p>\n

The BAP abruptly jumped ship to join the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP)-led coalition government this week. The stunning about-turn has left the opposition in disarray because they no longer have the numbers to topple Matekane in parliament.<\/p>\n

But the opposition has vowed to proceed with the no-confidence vote despite the setback. Machesetsa Mofomobe, the Basotho National Party (BNP) leader, who filed the motion, said their battle against Matekane is still alive.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are not going to withdraw that motion because someone has sold out,\u201d Mofomobe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cParliament is the only platform where Matekane can prove that he still has the support of MPs. It is the only place where he can prove that he is a legitimate leader of this government. \u201d<\/p>\n

Mofomobe said the deal that Matekane has cut with the BAP and other political parties to insulate his party from the no-confidence motion does not mean much unless it\u2019s tested in parliament.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he is indeed popular then there is no need to frustrate our motion through the courts as he is doing. He must face the motion head-on with the numbers he claims to have\u201d.<\/p>\n

Machesetsa said even if the opposition\u2019s motion fails this time their battle to topple the government will continue. \u201cThe issue here is about his leadership style. His use of the army and the police to intimidate the opposition and block a legitimate democratic process has made things worse. \u201d<\/p>\n

He was referring to a bellicose and controversial statement issued by the security agency\u2019s bosses saying they would not tolerate the opposition\u2019s no-confidence vote on the government.<\/p>\n

The bosses said parliament should focus on passing the reforms instead of pushing to change the government. Mofomobe said the opposition believes the government remains vulnerable despite roping in the BAP and other smaller parties.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are still facing the same problem they had last week. Many RFP MPs are still disgruntled and their anger will intensify when positions are handed to parties joining the coalition. \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir issue is that they are now giving positions to other people who are coming in while side-lining the MPs who supported the party and campaigned for it.
\n\u201cLet\u2019s not forget too that there is discontent among the other coalition parties like the BAP.
\nAll Basotho Convention (ABC) leader, Nkaku Kabi, who claims to have spurned Matekane\u2019s overtures for him to join the government, said Basotho should harshly judge disloyal political leaders who pretend to be with the opposition but cut deals with the government.<\/p>\n

He said those who criticise him for missing an opportunity to be in government should know that \u201cI was not voted in to come and travel with black cars and bodyguards\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said his position to reject Matekane\u2019s offer of the deputy prime minister and cabinet position was based on principle, adding that he is \u201cnot pleased with positions\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Democratic Congress (DC)\u2019s spokesman, Moeketsi Shale, said the BAP MPs had been enticed by positions that would benefit them and not the country. \u201cI know they have made that unprincipled decision to accept two ministries for themselves,\u201d Shale said.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Lesotho<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. It\u2019s game on! The opposition says it is still pushing the no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Sam Matekane despite losing the support of the Basotho Action Party (BAP). The BAP abruptly jumped ship to join the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP)-led coalition government this week. The stunning about-turn has left the opposition in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":36677,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,7,12],"tags":[233,246,245,259],"class_list":["post-36679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-head-lines","category-policy","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-lesotho","tag-lesotho","tag-parties"],"yoast_head":"\nOpposition says it\u2019s game on! - Lesotho<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It\u2019s game on! 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