Tefo Tefo
Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing has vowed to protect the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Leaba Thetsane and fight for him to the bitter end.
Mr Metsing made the pledge when addressing congress party supporters gathered at the Maseru Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday this week to show solidarity with fired Communications, Science and Technology minister Selibe Mochoboroane who was supposed to appear in the court charged with sedition.
However, the charges were withdrawn after King’s Counsel Thetsane complained they had been preferred behind his back as the head of the prosecution.
Mr Metsing told the supporters that if Advocate Thetsane could be threatened by any political leader for withdrawing the charges he and his allays would protect the DPP, fight for him and die along with him if need arises.
“They are likely to threaten the DPP and if they are going to threaten him, we are ready to die along with him.
“We are now convinced that there are people who whose intention is to serve their political masters’ interests within the civil service.
“I urge those who work in government institutions, that include the police, prosecution and judiciary to ensure professionalism in their respective areas of work,” he said.
The Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) leader also criticised a certain official in the Law Office for allegedly being “used” by politicians to fight their political battles against congress party members by preferring ill-conceived charges against them.
Mr Metsing added the criminal charges being leveled against congress party members were only meant to discourage them as they head towards next February’s general election, which he said some of the political leaders now are afraid of.
“Political battles are not fought through the courts of law. Let’s all go to the political grounds to fight our political battles.
“I am aware that some of the leaders are now afraid of contesting the forthcoming elections.
“I wish to warn congress movement members to be ready to come to court as many times as possible before the end of February and face several charges.
“But I tell you, they can break us all, but they cannot break our spirit,” he said.
The deputy premier further alleged the sedition charges against Mr Mochoboroane were instigated by some political leaders who wanted to hide behind the King’s identity to fight their political battles.
Mr Mochoboroane was supposed to be charged with sedition for announcing over MoAfrika FM radio station on 8 September 2014, that Prime Minister Thomas Thabane ill-advised the King to remove Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli from the command of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).
The King on 29 September this year, acting on the advice of Dr Thabane, removed Lt Gen Kamoli from the army command and replaced him with the then Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao, who was immediately promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.
Lt Gen Kamoli, Lt Gen Mahao and Police Commissioner Khothatso Tšooana have since been sent on leave of absence to allow for the restoration of cordial relations between the army and police.
