’Marafaele Mohloboli
LESOTHO Congress for Democracy (LCD) deputy leader Tšeliso Mokhosi says the publication of the SADC Commission of Inquiry report into Lesotho’s instability will not result in elections as the current coalition government was “united”.
Mr Mokhosi, who is also Defence and National Security Minister, made the remarks this week at a press conference in Maseru to welcome 12 people whom he said had defected to the LCD from other political parties. According to Mr Mokhosi, the defectors were former All Basotho Convention (ABC), Democratic Congress, Reformed Congress of Lesotho (RCL) and Basotho National Party members.
Among the defectors was Tebello Phangoa, who is the former private secretary to RCL leader Keketso Rantšo and former ABC Thibella branch chairperson Limpho Mofelehetsi.
Mr Mokhosi said the publication of Justice Mpaphi Phumaphi’s report, which was tabled in the National Assembly on Monday by Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, will not result in a change of government.
“I hear some people saying that once the report is published, there will be a change of government as fresh elections would have to be held. However, there is no truth to that at all,” he said.
“The only reason the previous coalition government did not serve its full term was because it was a house divided against itself. We went for early elections last year because the coalition leaders did not see eye to eye. Ultimately, we failed one another and we actually failed ourselves.”
The LCD deputy leader said the elections the opposition bloc was clamouring for would not materialise.
“We shall only go for elections when the time is right, or when those in government fail again and not when people enjoying themselves in Clocolan, Ladybrand and Ficksburg call for elections,” said Mr Mokhosi referring to leaders of the opposition who are in self imposed exiled in South Africa.
The Phumaphi commission report released this week has hinted at another early election being a possibility unless the challenges facing Lesotho are resolved but Mr Mokhosi seemed to disagree with that observation.
In welcoming the party’s new members, Mr Mokhosi said they had come to their true political home.
“Just like the good shepherd who lost and found one of his sheep, we welcome you into our fold. I am grateful that you realised you were lost and decided to come back,” he said.
“Some of you were trusted by your masters, but in your search for the truth, you have abandoned them.”
Mr Mokhosi added that there was a time when party leader, Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing, was vilified by some party members who wanted to oust him, but “because of the truth he came out a victor”.
“Ntate Metsing has always preached and believed in the truth, he always reminded us that he who is victimised shall be saved by the truth for he is loved by God,” he said.
“God is with the LCD and has fought all our battles. Our critics thought the LCD would be dead by now, but we are still intact and as strong as ever.”
