. . . as Soulo is booed in parliament
By Keiso Mohloboli
MASERU — There was drama outside parliament on Monday when communications minister Selibe Mochoboroane and All Basotho Convention (ABC) legislator Chalane Phori nearly came to blows over the mooted no-confidence motion on Prime Minister Thomas Thabane.
The Lesotho Times witnessed the heated exchange which erupted after Mochoboroane confronted Phori over his radio interview in which he reportedly suggested the minister was involved in a plot to remove Thabane from office through a no-confidence motion to be soon moved in parliament.
Mochoboroane angrily told Phori not to drag his name into the alleged conspiracy by some MPs, who want Thabane removed as premier for allegedly failing to live-up to the nation’s expectations.
“Stop involving my name in your radio interviews because my party (the Lesotho Congress for Democracy) and I are not part of any plan to move a no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister,” Mochoboroane exploded.
“We should be professional and treat each other as such.”
But an equally furious Phori hit back, waving his hands and accusing Mochoboroane of being among LCD officials holding meetings in his Qoaling constituency behind his back.
“I am fighting for the stability of my party and my constituency,” Phori shouted. “You think I am not aware that you go in and out of my constituency without my consent? You and other LCD members think I am not aware that you are entering my constituency and pushing your agenda of moving the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.
“I am fighting for my constituency and I will never be deterred by your threats. I am not a child and will not join you because you have a plot to pull me down.”
However, Mochoboroane would not be intimidated and continued to attack the MP.
“I will not allow you to talk to me like that, which is why I insisted that your senior (MP Motlohi Maliehe) must be part of this discussion and help us resolve the issue. I don’t like being pushed to argue over such petty issues,” he said.
A visibly embarrassed Maliehe then told the feuding men to stop the argument and sort their differences “after hours”.
“I will be part of the talks and will help in finding a solution to whatever problem you are fighting over,” Maliehe said.
Contacted soon after the fight, Phori said he was not in “a state to comment”, while Mochoboroane was not readily available to give his side of the story.
Meanwhile, earlier on the same day ABC MP Molobeli Soulo was booed by his
own party’s supporters as he entered parliament.
The Lesotho Times was told by ABC sources that the supporters were hostile to Soulo because of his alleged involvement in the main opposition Democratic Congress’ proposed no-confidence vote against Thabane.
Soulo is believed to be in support of the motion as his way of getting back at Thabane for firing him as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office last month.
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