By Staff Reporter
MASERU — The Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) is headed for a special indaba at the weekend to elect a new treasurer and make “crucial constitutional amendments”.
The race for the elite post of the LCD national executive committee has been left to two candidates, Finance Minister Leketekete Ketso and one Khasi Thibeli, after two prominent members of the party withdrew their nominations.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mohlabi Tsekoa who is the party’s former deputy-chairman and Moeketsi Moletsane, the former chairman, both withdrew their names.
George Thokoa and Lineo Tlali Monate were disqualified from competing as they did not meet the constitutional requirements.
Former LCD proportional representation MP and party treasurer Lebohang Ntšinyi resigned from the committee in April to take up an assignment as Lesotho’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, leaving the position open.
Meanwhile, the party is also expected to deliberate on proposed amendments to the constitution announced in a July 24 official circular which includes the abolition of the clause that facilitates for the annual leadership conference, in favour of the conference being held once every three years.
If the amendment is adopted, it means any LCD leader will meet with the party’s leadership only twice during his six-year term of office.
Additionally, the party will be proposing to do away with a clause in the constitution facilitating for a minimum of at least ten LCD constituencies to request a special conference if they feel there are grievances that need to be addressed.
Instead, the proposed amendment calls for a minimum of at least 27 constituencies to write requesting a special conference to discuss grievances.
Other issues of discontent likely to arise could include the constitutionality of the indaba, in the absence of the national youth and women’s committees to complete the “three-legged pot” structure of the LCD as a
political party founded on the congress ideology.
