By Billy Ntaote
QUTHING — Basotho National Party (BNP) leader Thesele ’Maseribane has threatened to suspend community councillors for allegedly sabotaging government projects.
’Maseribane’s threat was targeted at councillors from the main opposition, Democratic Congress (DC).
“DC councillors are denying Metsing (Deputy Prime Minister and local government minister Mothetjoa Metsing) and Thesele to bring development projects to this district,” said ’Maseribane who is also sports minister under Prime Minister Motsoahae Thabane’s government.
’Maseribane was addressing a BNP rally held at Ha Mafura in the Sebapala constituency won by the DC’s Kabelo Mafura in the May 2012 general election.
“Government initiatives in the districts are being held hostage by community councillors who refuse to sign documents that would allow developmental projects implementation.”
Thabane’s All Basotho Convention (ABC), Metsing’s Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and ’Maseribane’s BNP formed a coalition government after the 2012 poll produced a hung parliament.
He was flanked by the BNP spokesperson Ts’epo Monethi, national coordinator Ts’ita Letsie, the party’s youth leader Ts’eliso Lesenya, BNP deputy ministers for health and home affairs ministries, Nthabiseng Makoae and ’Malebitso Ralebitso respectively.
The outspoken BNP leader called on to councillors to read the Local Government Act establishing the local government councils clearly or face disciplinary action.
“You should be aware that the Minister has the powers to suspend you if you refuse to execute your duties,” ’Maseribane said.
“Next week I’m bringing Mochoboroane (Selibe Mochoboroane, local government deputy minister) and Metsing to those councils delaying implementation of projects here.”
He told the rally that being the only cabinet Minister from the Quthing district meant the welfare of the people in the district “has become my sole responsibility”.
’Maseribane further urged councillors across the political spectrum to desist from ill-treating people adding they should deliver services without any bias.
To drive his point home, ’Maseribane said when he decided to join politics he forfeited his chieftainship duties which were now being performed by someone else adding “I do not interfere in the running of the chief’s office”.
The sports minister also took a swipe at DC leader and former Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili for his continued onslaught against Metsing, whom Mosisili has accused of being “a traitor who that handed over a congress government to the nationalists”.
“Metsing’s decision to enter into a coalition government with the ABC and the BNP was meant to ensure the unity of the Basotho people whom we united,” ’Maseribane said.
“You can’t give someone government, it is from God.
“I never knew I’d be a leader but this was all done by God and not by us mortals. So stop interfering in the national party affairs and start addressing your Democratic Congress issues.”
Metsing succeeded Mosisili as the LCD leader after he left the party to form his DC.
The BNP leader accused Mosisili of persisting to mislead the people into thinking the old-age pensions were paid from his own pocket “hence the elderly refer to it as Mosisili’s money.”
“The elderly were threatened into electing Mosisili’s party if they wanted to continue earning their pensions. We have increased the old ages pension money,” ’Maseribane said.
“People should know that we did not need to ask Mosisili for money as the pensions are paid from the revenue generated from taxes collected by government.”
He added sarcastically: “I do not see myself saying the money paid to the elderly is mine when I know it comes from the people’s taxes.”
He said the coalition government plans to formulate district strategic development plans.
“We want an integrated development plan for Quthing so that when we meet investors we can easily attract them to come and invest in specific projects in certain districts,” ’Maseribane said.
“We will soon be holding meetings to work on the district plan to which I’m inviting this district’s business community, farmers, civic society organisations and everybody to ensure they participate when the time for formulation arrives.”
’Maseribane also told Sebapala constituency villagers that government plans to establish wind farms to generate electricity.
“I’m inviting you all to take part in this district policy formulation process that is coming soon.
“We’d like to see Basotho mine the diamonds alluvial that we have here in Quthing.
“We’re surprised this was never explored by the Mosisili led administration,” ’Maseribane said.
“Basotho are going to be mining and sieving those diamonds alluvial soon and others will be utilising this Aloe for production of Aloe Vera which our people here know is also beneficial for animals.”
