’Marafaele Mohloboli
THE Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) has called for the establishment of a government of national unity and the release of detained former army Commander, Tlali Kamoli, as part of its pre-conditions for its participation in the multi-sectoral reforms.
The demands are contained in a letter written by the exiled LCD leader, Mothetjoa Metsing, on behalf of opposition party members in exile. The letter was written to South Africa President, Jacob Zuma, who is also the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Also copied in the letter, dated 22 January 2018, are Prime Minister Thomas Thabane; the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Stergomena Tax; the Chairperson of the SADC Oversight Committee, Ambassador Matias Matondo; the Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisations and the Christian Council of Lesotho.
The letter states conditions for the exiled opposition leaders’ return and participation in the constitutional, security, judicial and public sector reform process under SADC support.
In his letter, Mr Metsing also called on SADC to institute a forensic audit of the 2017 election outcome.
“We have approached the matter on the basic understanding that solutions to the problem of the Kingdom require appreciation of the unique historical, social and political context of the country,” read part of the letter.
He explained that the submissions culminated in the preconditions, which they have considered relevant for a fair play and their involvement in the reform exercise.
“We have thus, in the last part of the submission, made proposals on the way forward and preconditions that we consider will pave a way to our participation in the reforms in an atmosphere of fair play,” he said.
Mr Metsing wants the establishment of an interim political authority along the lines of the one established in 1998 to oversee the process of the reforms and a commission of inquiry into the death of former slain army commander, Khoantle Motšomotšo, Brigadier Bulane Sechele, Colonel Hashatsi and the estranged wife of Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, Lipolelo Thabane.
He also demands the reinstatement “of all public servants who were unlawfully discharged and demoted; moratorium on removal and filling of constitutional positions where vacancies exist until the completion of the reform programme.”
In addition, the LCD wants both the Principal Secretary of Police, Khothatso Tšooana and the Commissioner of Police Holomo Molibeli to be redeployed. They also want the Director of National Security Services, Pheello Ralenkoane, removed from his position.
The LCD also demands the establishment of a Government of National Unity be established and Mr Metsing and the deputy leader of Democratic Congress be granted their benefits.
Mr Metsing also called for all politically motivated charges against opposition leaders and others. He also wants former army commander, Tlali Kamoli and other detainees to be released. The letter also called on the disbandment of a police investigations team, which he accused of torturing suspects.
Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organizations (LCN’s) Director Seabata Motsamai yesterday confirmed receipt of the LCD letter.
“We have received the letter and are yet to deliberate on it,” said Motsamai.
