Letuka Chafotsa
Senators to the ninth Parliament are expected to be sworn-in this morning following Tuesday’s special meeting of the 14-member Council of State, which is an advisory to the King.
Lesotho is a bicameral parliamentary system, with two legislative bodies or chambers. The first of these bodies is the House of Commons, which comprises elected Members of Parliament (MPs) and Proportional Representative officials. The second of these bodies is the Senate, constituted by 22 principal chiefs and 11 members nominated by the King, acting on the advice of the Council of State.
While the Senate’s powers appear limited, the body is, however very powerful as it can block legislation passed by the lower house or House of Commons.
The Lesotho Times has since learnt that the following would be sworn-in as Senators today: Principal Chief of Mokhotlong ,Mathealira Seeiso; Principal Chief of Malingoaneng, Tumane Matela; Principal Chief of Butha-Buthe, Retšelisitsoe Mopeli; Principal Chief of Leribe, Joel Motšoene; Principal Chief of Peka, Tsikoane and Kolberg, Pontšo Mathealira; Principal Chief of Mamathe and Thupa-Kubu, Majara S Masupha; Principal Chief of Majara, ‘Mamolapo Majara; Principal Chief of Kueneng and Mapoteng, Peete L Peete; Principal Chief of Matsieng, Seeiso Bereng Seeiso; Principal Chief of Thaba-Bosiu, Khoabane Theko; Principal Chief of Maama, Mabela Maama, Principal Chief of Ramabanta, Bereng S Api; Principal Chief of Rothe, Bereng M Bereng; Principal Chief of Tebang, Theko Mojela; Principal Chief of Tajane, Thato Mohale; Principal Chief of Matelile, Moholobela Moholobela; Principal Chief of Likhoele, Lerotholi Seeiso; Principal Chief of Phamong, Nthati Bereng; Principal Chief of Taung , Moeketsi Moeketsi; Principal Chief of Quthing, Hlabathe Nkuebe; Principal Chief of Ratšoleli and Mashai, Mojela Theko; Independent Chiefs- Makholu Moshoeshoe and Qajela Lebona.
Appointed Senators: Dr ‘Molotsi Monyamane, Dr ‘Mamphono Khaketla, Mr Jeremane Ramathebane, Mr Thabiso Litšiba, Mr Joshua Setipa, Mr Lebohang Thotanyane, Mr Tšeliso Mokhosi, Mr Thabang Kholumo, Ms Moipone Piet.
