’Marafaele Mohloboli
HOME Affairs Minister, Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane, has called on Basotho to harness positive energy and not trade insults on social media to foster national unity ahead of golden Independence jubilee celebrations in October.
Adv Rakuoane, who is also the leader of one of the governing coalition parties, Popular Front for Democracy, yesterday told the Lesotho Times social media should not be used to denigrate each other.
“I would like Basotho to cease fire and stop making negative posts about the country on social media,” he said.
“The issue of a ceasefire is important because it will help us as a nation to celebrate our Independence in oneness and cast our political differences aside.
“This is a dream I have, and I am hoping to get a buy-in from the government as a political leader. I believe it’s possible because all that is needed is to discuss. The ceasefire can be made through negotiations, and, hopefully the government will consider it.”
Adv Rakuoane said Basotho were preoccupied by political allegiances, instead of what unites them as a nation.
“We can surely make a lot of progress if we focused on the issues that unite us as a nation and stop posting negativity. We can actually take the build-to the Independence celebrations as a time to reflect on our values as a nation.”
Commenting on the remarks, Communications Minister Khotso Letsatsi said they had taken Adv Rakuoane’s proposal seriously.
“This is a very serious matter, and the government is very worried about the misuse of social media. Even the general public is very worried given the negativity that surrounds social media of late,” he said.
“We are actually looking into implementing measures to address this issue. Be rest-assured the government is already doing a lot to suppress this negativity.”
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Mr Letsatsi said the government was already working on effecting cyber laws adding the security of the state was at risk.
“I will not tell you what other measures we are working on, but they will soon be known as their pinch shall be felt by these rogue users,” he said.
