Moorosi Tsiane/Mpesi Mohloai
DISGRUNTLED members of the Alliance of Democracy (AD) have taken their battle to oust party leader, Professor Ntoi Rapapa, and his executive committee to the High Court.
Members from the Qalabane and Mpharane constituencies have petitioned the court seeking an order compelling Professor Rapapa to convene a special congress where they intend to table a vote of no confidence against him and his Exco.
They are also asking the court to shield one of their leaders from disciplinary action, which they claim is being used as a weapon to silence dissent.
Qlabane constituency secretary, Molebatseng Makhatla, Thabo Ramatla (an ordinary member of the constituency), the Qalabane AD Constituency Committee, and the Mpharane Constituency Committee, are the main petitioners.
They want the High Court to, among other things, compel Professor Rapapa to call a special congress, interdict the executive committee from summoning Ms Makhatla to a disciplinary hearing pending finalisation of the matter, declare the failure to call a special emergency conference unlawful, and direct the committee to convene such a conference within 28 days of the order.
The AD and its executive committee are cited as the first and second respondents, respectively.
In her affidavit, Ms Makhatla accuses the executive committee of violating the party’s constitution by failing to hold mandatory conferences.
“The executive committee of AD is responsible to oversee and promote the aims and objectives of the party, and to ensure that the constitution and laws are followed. For three years, the executive committee has dismally failed to carry out its mandate.
“The Executive Committee failed to hold the leadership conference as required under clause 3.3 of the party’s constitution. Such a conference must be held once a year. Three years have passed without one, leading the members of AD Mpharane Constituency Assembly, through the Constituency Committee, to lose confidence and decide on a vote of no confidence in the main committee,” Ms Makhatla submits.
Neglect
She adds that confidence in Prof Rapapa and his committee had been further eroded due to their failure to convene policy conferences and assist in establishing councils in associations and constituencies.
“The executive committee failed to hold the policy conference required under clause 3.4 of the AD constitution. This conference is essential to review party policies and discuss ways to strengthen governance and public service. Such neglect is a serious dereliction of duty.
“The Executive Committee also failed to assist in building and forming the Council in Associations and Constituencies, which is vital for fulfilling the aims and objectives of community councils in Lesotho,” she explained.
Ms Makhatla also raised concerns about the executive committee’s silence regarding the conduct of the party’s secretary general, who allegedly failed to resign after taking a government position.
“The executive committee does not respect the law, contrary to clause 52 of the AD constitution. The secretary general has not resigned despite becoming a public servant. Meanwhile, the committee expels members without due process, forcing the party to face avoidable court cases,” she said.
Victimisation
She argues that frustration among constituencies had reached a tipping point in the absence of platforms through which to raise grievances.
“Qalabane and Mpharane Constituencies lost confidence in the AD executive committee. Members have no platform to express grievances or contribute to the party’s growth. When they attempted to raise these issues, individual members were victimised and summoned to disciplinary hearings.”
According to Ms Makhatla, the move to call a special conference has support from several constituencies nationwide.
“Qalabane 57 and Mpharane 60 committees submitted petitions under clause 5.7.1 of the AD constitution, calling for a special general conference, as provided under clause 3.2(d). Other supporting constituencies include Maseru 33, Botha Bothe 5, Peka 17, Rothe 48, Phoqoane 53, Matelile 54, Lithabaneng 40, Maliba Matšo 6, and Likotsi 36. The conference will discuss the vote of no confidence.”
She urged the court to interdict the executive committee from proceeding with disciplinary action against her and to declare the failure to call a special emergency conference unlawful, directing that such a conference be convened within 28 days.
Prof Rapapa and his executive committee are yet to file their response.
Growing dissent
Last December, Prof Rapapa’s executive committee was served with 10 letters from different constituencies expressing no confidence in the party administration.
Some constituency secretaries and chairpersons claim the executive committee has failed to provide financial reports for over three years.
They also allege that Prof Rapapa personally pressured constituency secretaries who submitted the letters to withdraw them, threatening their government jobs, their children’s government employment, or opportunities in the government’s vehicle hire scheme.
Prof Rapapa, however, has dismissed the allegations, calling them political games and denying that he intimidated party members.
Prof Rapapa was elected party leader in April 2023, defeating party founder Dr Monyane Moleleki and Mokoto Hloaele.
The AD holds three proportional representation seats in the coalition government after the 2022 general elections, with Prof Rapapa securing the Mosalemane constituency to give the party a total of four seats. He was subsequently appointed the Minister of Education and Training – a position he still holds.
The party’s troubles deepened in September 2025 when Mr Hloaele, Malibamatšo constituency legislator, defected to the Revolution For Prosperity (RFP), reducing AD’s parliamentary representation to three seats.
