By Bongiwe Zihlangu and Billy Ntaote
MASERU — The Basotho National Party (BNP) youth league has suspended its president Tšeliso Lesenya from all activities “pending findings by the national executive committee”.
The BNP youth wing has also called for secretary-general Khotso Ramokhele and his deputy Machere Seutloali to an induction of the BNP constitution and a disciplinary hearing respectively.
In a report compiled following a meeting convened at the Anglican Training Centre on Saturday September 21, the BNP youth committee says it has concluded that Lesenya “intentionally and maliciously” undermined and disrespected party resolutions and “treacherously and falsely misled a conference of the BNP”.
In the report, which has since been submitted to the BNP executive committee for consideration, the youth committee further accuses Lesenya of breaching the party’s constitution “to advance his selfish personal interests”.
Clandestine and abortive attempts to sabotage the third sitting of the youth league also form part of the accusations levelled against Lesenya, according to the report.
“He is suspended also for his tireless efforts to sow seeds of discord and mistrust within the youth league in disgusting pursuance of his personal gains,” the report says.
Lesenya is also accused of having dragged the names the leadership of the BNP “in the mud to sow seeds of division within the party.”
“He also perpetually acted unilaterally to make decisions regarding and directly affecting the BNP youth league without consulting his fellow colleagues.”
Moreover, the committee says it has also concluded that deputy-secretary general ‘Machere Seutloali should be hauled before a disciplinary hearing for allegedly colluding with Lesenya “to attempt to sabotage the 3rd sitting of the committee.
Seutloali, the report adds, intentionally undermined decisions of the youth committee while at the same time failing to “respect and adhere to the constitution of the BNP”.
BNP youth league spokesperson Manama Letsie confirmed Lesenya’s suspension but declined to comment further saying he needed permission from BNP Deputy leader Joang Molapo.
Contacted for comment Molapo, who’s also Home Affairs Minister, said the youth league was asked to submit its report to the NEC.
“We are yet to meet and deal with the report from the youth league. But as we speak nothing they are saying has been finalised as they need approval of the party leadership,” said Molapo.
BNP secretary general Moletsane Jonathan, speaking alongside party treasurer Sekhohola Molelle and National Organiser Tšita Letsie said the youth league’s report has been submitted to the secretariat.
Jonathan said the leadership is already working on bringing the warring sides together “since receiving the report”.
Jonathan added that the call for Lesenya’s suspension was induced by the pending youth league elective conference.
“The youth league’s elections will be held after we have resolved the impasse they are locked in right now,” Jonathan said.
“I believe that might be sometime around the end of the year or by the beginning of January next year.”
The national organiser, Letsie, chipped in to emphasise the troubles arising in the youth league stem from their struggle for the leadership of the youth league.
Molelle added the party leadership would not want to comment on issues concerning the youth league’s struggle for power as the youths are currently engaged in campaigns for youth league leadership.
