’Marafaele Mohloboli
THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Tribunal has barred former Lesotho People’s Congress (LPC) leader Molahlehi Letlotlo from associating the party with his alliance with the Lesotho Workers’ Party (LWP).
The tribunal made the ruling after LPC Secretary-General Bokang Ramatšella lodged a complaint against Mr Letlotlo for contravening section 122 of the National Assembly Electoral Act of 2011.
Mr Ramatšella cited section 122 (4) (d) of the law, which orders members of parties contesting in elections to refrain from publishing or repeating false and defamatory allegations concerning any person or political party in connection with the polls.
The case was heard by Advocate Seitebatso Mathealira Seeiso and Peete Lerotholi on 9 May 2017.
In March this year, the High Court brought to an end a long-running LPC leadership battle by ruling in favour of a faction led by party leader Mabusetsa Makharilele.
Mr Makharilele’s camp had been at loggerheads with Mr Letlotlo over control of the party since 2015.
The LPC’S troubles started when Mr Letlotlo expelled the party’s then secretary-general Moipone Piti and Mr Ramatšella who was publicity secretary in October 2015.
A conference convened by Mr Makharilele’s faction to elect the LPC’S National Executive Committee (NEC) then ousted the committee led by Mr Letlotlo.
During the conference, Mr Makharilele – who was then deputy leader – was elected as LPC leader with Mr Ramatšella elected as the secretary-general of the party.
Mr Letlotlo and his faction have unsuccessfully challenged the conference’s outcomes in the High Court.
He was eventually fired by Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili as Social Development minister after losing the case. Mr Letlotlo has since joined forces with the LWP in campaigning for Saturday’s elections.
In his complaint, Mr Ramatšella said Mr Letlotlo had been “confusing” LPC supporters by claiming the party was contesting the polls under the LWP’s ambit.
However, Mr Letlotlo, who still insists he is the rightful LPC leader pending the finalisation of his court appeal, accused Mr Ramatšella of giving false evidence before the tribunal.
The tribunal ruled on 12 May 2017 that the LPC had a legitimate claim to oppose the spread of falsehoods especially ahead of the elections.
“Hon. Hon. Molahlehi Letlotlo MP and his faction is ordered to refrain from holding rallies, meetings, press conferences and making media announcements which publicise that LPC is not going for elections in its own right but has formed an alliance with the Lesotho Workers Party operative throughout the current election period,” the tribunal added.
