Tefo Tefo
Three Members of Parliament (MPs) who filed an urgent application in the High Court to block a parliamentary motion to unseat Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, withdrew their case this week.
The three MPs — Chalane Phori, Matšeliso Tuoane, and Tšepo Monethi of the All Basotho Convention (ABC), Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and Basotho National Party (BNP) respectively — approached the court in March this year seeking an order to block the vote-of-no-confidence against Dr Thabane and his coalition government.
The Basotho Batho Democratic Party (BBDP) leader Jeremane Ramathebane had proposed the motion in March and nominated the Democratic Congress (DC) leader Pakalitha Mosisili for the post of premier.
His proposal was seconded by the Makhaleng constituency MP, Mootsi Lehata of the DC.
The case had been scheduled to proceed before High Court Judge Justice Semapo Peete on Tuesday, but in a new turn of events, was withdrawn on the grounds it had since been overtaken by events because parliament is now on prorogation.
King Letsie III, acting on the advice of Mr Thabane, prorogued parliament for nine months on June 10 following misunderstandings amongst the coalition government parties, namely the ABC, LCD and BNP.
Justice Peete’s Clerk, Ramokhoro Makara confirmed the new developments to the Lesotho Times after the case could not proceed in court.
“Mr Khotso Nthontho has withdrawn the case because it would not serve any purpose anymore, as the parliament is now on nine-month prorogation (until 27 February 2015),” he said.
Mr Nthontho is the attorney representing the three legislators in the case.
However, Mr Makara said the court would reconvene on August 19 for lawyers to discuss the issue of costs which are supposed to be awarded to the respondents.
The respondents included the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sephiri Motanyane, Ramathebane and Mosisili.
Contacted yesterday, Mr Ramathebane said he could not comment because he was not aware of the new developments.
“I am not aware of the new developments and I have to contact my lawyers for more information,” Mr Ramathebane said.
