Billy Ntaote
The Democratic Congress (DC) is set to hold a crisis meeting today to decide the fate of the youth league whose infighting is threatening to split the party.
Party insiders who spoke to the Lesotho Times in confidence said the league is likely to be suspended or completely disbanded while disciplinary action is taken against some of its members for allegedly bringing the party into disrepute.
But the sources also warned such action could plunge the party into chaos as the two factions being backed by the warring youths would not allow their protégés to be punished.
According to the insiders, the youths have been split into two factions—one supporting party leader Dr Pakalitha Mosisili and the other his deputy, Monyane Moleleki.
But it was Youth League President Thuso Litjobo’s personal attack of his Women’s League counterpart, Dr Pontšo Sekatle, last weekend (see story on page 4), which is said to have prompted the party’s National Executive Committee to act.
DC spokesperson Serialong Qoo yesterday confirmed today’s meeting which he said would also be attended by Prime Minister Dr Mosisili.
The prime minister is expected to announce the party’s decision after the meeting, Mr Qoo said.
“An emergency meeting has been called by the leadership in an effort to steer party affairs in the right direction. We have learned there are dissatisfied Youth League members and we are going to be addressing their concerns.
“As far as we are concerned, we continue to function as one united party but some members have been making insinuations in the media and we want to deal with their issues and find out exactly what is going on.
“The meeting will be attended by the Youth League leader and Women’s League President, who will be representing their members,” said Mr Qoo.
However, Mr Qoo insisted there are no factions in the DC and that the party was very stable.
“I don’t know about factions which are alleged to exist within our party. We still owe our allegiance to one party and we are loyal members who have confidence in our leader, Dr Pakalitha Mosisili and his deputy Monyane Moleleki”.
Asked to comment on the issue, Mr Moleleki said he would issue a statement on the matter today, while repeated attempts to get a comment from Dr Sekatle were unsuccessful.
