Tefo Tefo
THE newly-elected Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP) executive committee has distanced itself from the other six parties in the former government by pledging to work with the governing coalition on developmental issues.
The MFP, which was formerly led by veteran politician Moeketse Vincent Malebo, made the pledge in a press conference yesterday in Maseru.
The committee was elected during the party’s general conference on 23 June 2017 in which Mr Malebo was ousted from the helm of the party.
But Mr Malebo, together with some members of the party, lodged an urgent application before the High Court on 26 June 2017 challenging the legality of the newly-elected committee and his ouster.
The High Court on Tuesday dismissed Mr Malebo and his co-applicants’ prayer that the application be treated as an urgent matter.
It now means the case would be heard in due course after all papers have been filed in court.
As a result, the newly-elected committee remains in force until the application has been decided.
Addressing the media, the new MFP leader, Tlhoriso Lekatsa, said the committee had agreed to work with the government.
“The conference has resolved that our party should work together with the government in its endeavors of implementing the outstanding SADC decisions.
“We have also resolved to commit our seat in parliament to support the government inside and outside parliament.
“We further intend to lobby other political parties in parliament to join forces with the government to ensure that the government fulfils its commitment on developing the country. We are saying people should put aside their differences towards the common good of the country.”
However, Mr Lekatsa conceded that collaborating with the government in parliament would be difficult since Mr Malebo had already been sworn-in as legislator for the party’s one seat in the august house.
“We have not yet discussed with the person who is representing the party in parliament as we are still waiting for him to meet with us because we have since written a letter to him inviting him to the committee meeting.”
Mr Lekatsa also said that the committee had resolved to ensure its administration was in accordance with the party constitution.
“Many will recall that there has been a lot of conflict within the party that led to disputes before courts of law. There was a case that was lodged by some ‘trouble makers’ and the court dismissed it. The court ruled in our favour,” he said.
Mr Lekatsa was referring to the pending application before the High Court in which Justice Keketso Moahloli ruled that the application was not urgent.
But Mr Lekatsa interpreted this as a dismissal of the application.
He was taken to task by journalists on this issue, but insisted the application was dismissed.
However, the Lesotho Times sought clarity from the lawyer representing the newly-elected MFP committee in the case, Attorney Tumisang Mosotho on what was the ruling all about.
Attorney Mosotho confirmed the ruling was only on the urgency of the matter.
“This means the case will follow the normal modes and periods of serving papers until the matter is ready for hearing,” Attorney Mosotho said.
