Mohloai Mpesi
THE Prime Minister’s Ministries Cluster parliamentary portfolio committee has demanded the removal of Rethabile Letlailana as its chairperson.
The main contention is that Mr Letlailana has defected from the ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) to the Democratic Congress (DC). He had won the Lithoteng constituency under the RFP banner in 2022.
But Mr Letlailana is contesting the move, saying his removal is aimed at stopping his plans to let the troubled National Security Service (NSS) appear before the committee.
According to a letter addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Advocate Lebohang Fine Maema (KC), Mr Letlailana no longer serves the interests of the government, necessitating his removal.
The letter, titled “Request for Special Meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee Regarding the Position of the Chairperson,” was also copied to the Leader of the House, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Justice Nthomeng Majara, Chair of Chairs and Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) legislator for Mokhethoaneng, Mokhothu Makhalanyane and Mr Letlailana.
The letter was signed by 11 members, including RFP legislators Mampho Tjabane (Stadium Area), Lekhotsa Mafethe (Khubetsoana), Makotoko Moshe (Matsieng), Dada Jooma (Qalo), Thabo Maretlane (Thaba-Phatšoa), Joseph Malebaleba (Thaba-Bosiu), Thuso Makhalanyane (Abia), and Mosebetsane Sekhele (Mashai). Other signatories included Alliance for Democrats (AD) lawmaker Maboiketlo Maliehe (Proportional Representative), Movement for Economic Change (MEC) Napo Moshoeshoe (PR), and Basotho Action Party (BAP) representative Manyaneso Taole (PR).
The signatory MPs demanded that all committee agendas be shelved to accommodate the special meeting, which would discuss, among other matters, the position of Mr Letlailana.
“In accordance with Standing Order 96 (2) of the Lesotho Standing Orders, we, the undersigned members of the Prime Minister’s Committee, formally request a special meeting to address and deliberate on matters concerning the position of the Chairperson of the committee,” the letter reads.
“In light of the significance of this matter, we request that all other committee business be suspended until after the meeting.”
The agenda for the special session, the letter explains, would focus exclusively on the status and leadership of the chairperson.
“We kindly ask that the necessary arrangements be made for this meeting to proceed, and we look forward to your prompt confirmation of the date and time. Your assistance in facilitating this important session is highly appreciated,” the letter reads.
When contacted for comment, Mr Letlailana said the meeting was proposed to frustrate the committee’s intentions to summon the NSS. The committee, the Lesotho Times understands, wanted to address issues related to maladministration at the NSS, including the re-deployment of 16 senior officers, which had since been halted by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Limpho Tau.
“We have not actually delivered the letter to the NSS, but these people are frustrating the committee because they believe we need to address the chairperson issue and put all agendas in abeyance,” Mr Letlailana said.
“Their intention is to cause this frustration because there is nothing tangible behind their efforts. Their agenda is simply to thwart our intention to call the NSS, that’s all they want.”
Mr Letlailana also noted that some MPs from the government side do not agree with their counterparts’ approach, as it would weaken the committee’s ability to hold institutions accountable.
“These are MPs from the government side, but there are also those who do not agree with this approach, as it would weaken the committee’s power to address national matters. They have even called on people who do not usually attend committee meetings just to sign this letter. They believe that parliament is supposed to support the government, even when it is wrong. They don’t understand that their role is to help correct the government when it goes wrong.”
The meeting was proposed to be held yesterday or tomorrow. However, DC legislator for Mekaling, Thabiso Lekitla, stated that the disgruntled members did not follow the proper procedure, and therefore the sitting would be deferred.
Mr Lekitla told the Lesotho Times that the dissatisfied members should have stated that they had lost confidence in the chairperson, rather than convene a meeting without a specific agenda.
“The meeting cannot be convened until they follow the proper processes…..If they want to pass a vote of no confidence, they need to formally write that they have no confidence in the chairperson. Once they indicate that, the date of the sitting will be set, where they will present their reasons for the no-confidence motion, and then members will vote,” Mr Lekitla said.
