Ithabeleng Qhasho
SENATORS have called for action against individuals posting insulting and defamatory remarks about King Letsie III on social media, warning that freedom of expression should not be abused to undermine the dignity of the monarchy and other national institutions.
The concerns were raised in the Senate yesterday by the Principal Chief of Leribe, Chief Joel Motšoene, who questioned the Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation on whether the government monitors and documents online content considered insulting, defamatory or culturally demeaning towards the King.
Responding on behalf of the Communications Minister, Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Pitso Lesaoana, said the government recognised the importance of protecting the dignity of the King and the institution of the monarchy, which he described as symbols of national unity, cultural identity and constitutional continuity.
However, Mr Lesaoana said the ministry’s mandate did not extend to indiscriminately targeting citizens or conducting criminal investigations, which were the responsibility of authorised law enforcement agencies.
He said the government was strengthening coordination with the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) and other relevant institutions to address online conduct that could violate existing laws.
The ministry was also promoting digital responsibility, public awareness and respect for national institutions and cultural values, while exploring mechanisms for reporting content that violated social media platform standards or applicable laws.
On legislation, Mr Lesaoana said the government was advancing the development of cybersecurity and cybercrime laws to address emerging digital threats and unlawful online conduct, subject to constitutional safeguards and due process.
He stressed that while the government encouraged respect for the King and the monarchy, freedom of expression was constitutionally protected. A distinction had to be maintained between offensive opinions and criminal conduct.
“Not every statement considered disrespectful or culturally inappropriate necessarily constitutes a criminal offence,” he said.
Senator Seabata Motsamai said Basotho should be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of expression but should also be held accountable when they crossed the line through defamatory statements.
He said security institutions and the LCA had previously agreed that social media accounts belonging to individuals making obscene or offensive remarks should be traced and their owners held accountable.
Senator Leboea Khoaele also expressed concern over the manner in which the King was being discussed on social media, saying His Majesty was a symbolic figure who deserved respect.
He warned that freedom of expression should not be used to delay action against individuals who overstepped legal boundaries.
Principal Chief of Ha ‘Mamathe, Sempe Gabasheane Masupha, said traditional leaders, as custodians of culture and tradition, had a responsibility to protect the dignity of the King.
He questioned whether the absence of specific cybercrime legislation meant that cases involving alleged online misconduct should be left unattended.
Senate Vice-President, Tsukutlane Au, said the country’s social fabric appeared to have been severely shaken by growing disregard for national leaders and institutions.
He said Parliamentarians should be open to criticism and told the truth when they made mistakes because citizens were their employers. However, such criticism should be communicated respectfully.
Mr Au warned that disrespectful remarks had gradually shifted from targeting Members of Parliament to ministers, the Prime Minister and now the King.
“The manner in which people are speaking is eroding respect for elders. Basotho started by ridiculing Members of Parliament, then ministers, the Prime Minister, and now it is His Majesty,” he said.
He described the situation as an abuse of excessive democracy and urged the Ministry of Communications to help identify those responsible and ensure they were strongly reprimanded.
Chief Motšoene said he had decided to raise the matter in the Senate after watching a social media clip in which a member of the royal family, who also resides in his constituency in Leribe, allegedly insulted the King.
“I decided to challenge this matter before the Senate after listening to the clip. An ordinary person could easily pick up that clip and imitate the behaviour because they see that someone who insults the King is left unchallenged, making them believe they can also say whatever they want,” he said.
He warned that failure to address such conduct could encourage others to behave similarly, further undermining respect for the monarchy.
The controversy centres on a video circulating on social media in which a Mosotho man responds to another individual who had told him that Basotho Covenant leader, Dr Tšepo Lipholo, had been “appointed” chief of the Basutoland.
In the clip, the man makes controversial remarks about historical Basotho leaders, including Basotho nation founder King Moshoeshoe I and Baphuthi founding leader Chief Moorosi.
He alleges that while Chief Moorosi was beheaded, King Moshoeshoe I betrayed him. He further claims that Moshoeshoe sold out the Basotho after receiving clothes and blankets from white people.
The man also uses derogatory language against King Moshoeshoe I and his descendants, describing them as cowards.
“This thing is nonsense. You should not be like him; you should be a true Motaung. You should not be like those cowards. Moshoeshoe was a coward, and Moshoeshoe gave birth to nothing but cowards,” he says in the video.
