Speaker Tlohang Sekhamane told the Leadership Forum and Accountability Summit that MPs who skip sittings are stopping the House from reaching quorum, as Parliament finalises a Code of Conduct that would name and shame repeat absentees to their constituencies.
PERSISTENT absenteeism by Members of Parliament has emerged as one of the biggest threats to the effectiveness and credibility of Lesotho’s National Assembly, with parliamentary leaders warning that the problem continues to delay legislative business and erode public confidence in the country’s law-making institution.
The issue took centre stage during the Leadership Forum and Accountability Summit this week, where Speaker of the National Assembly, Tlohang Sekhamane, delivered a candid assessment of the challenges confronting Parliament. While acknowledging progress made in strengthening democratic institutions, he said Parliament continues to face structural and operational obstacles that prevent it from fully carrying out its constitutional mandate.
Among the most pressing concerns, Sekhamane identified absenteeism by Members of Parliament (MPs), describing it as a persistent problem that disrupts proceedings and undermines the institution’s ability to represent the interests of Basotho. He said Parliament cannot function efficiently when elected representatives repeatedly fail to attend sittings, as their absence often prevents the House from reaching the quorum required to conduct official business.
According to Sekhamane, debates on important national matters are frequently delayed because there are not enough members present to proceed. This, he noted, affects not only the legislative process but also public confidence in Parliament as an institution entrusted with making laws and holding the Executive accountable. He stressed that Basotho expect Parliament to work in their best interests and that lawmakers have a responsibility to honour the mandate entrusted to them by voters.
Beyond absenteeism, Sekhamane expressed concern about Parliament’s limited institutional independence. He argued that the National Assembly should enjoy greater autonomy in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities without undue interference from other arms of government. He said there have been occasions where both the Executive and the judiciary have attempted to influence parliamentary affairs, a development he believes weakens the doctrine of separation of powers.
“We want to reach a point where Parliament makes its own decisions because that will ultimately benefit the nation.”
Speaker Tlohang Sekhamane
According to Sekhamane, Parliament must be free to make independent decisions guided solely by the Constitution and the interests of the people. “We want to reach a point where Parliament makes its own decisions because that will ultimately benefit the nation,” he said.
The Speaker also reflected on Parliament’s public image, acknowledging that the conduct of some legislators has negatively affected how the institution is perceived by citizens. He noted that incidents involving inappropriate behaviour by MPs, combined with poor attendance, have contributed to declining public trust in Parliament at a time when the country expects stronger leadership and greater accountability from elected representatives.
Echoing the Speaker’s concerns, Chief Whip Lethole Lethole admitted that absenteeism has remained a recurring challenge for many years despite repeated efforts to encourage better attendance. He said while there may be legitimate reasons for some members to miss sittings, it is often difficult to determine the circumstances surrounding every absence. Parliament, he added, can no longer afford to ignore a problem that directly affects its effectiveness.
To address the issue, Parliament is in the final stages of developing a comprehensive Code of Conduct that will establish clear standards of accountability for Members of Parliament. The proposed legislation seeks to ensure that elected representatives fulfil their constitutional responsibilities by attending sittings and actively participating in legislative work.
One of the most notable provisions in the draft Code of Conduct is a “name and shame” mechanism intended to promote transparency and accountability. Under the proposal, Parliament would publicly identify Members of Parliament who repeatedly fail to attend sittings without acceptable justification. Their names would also be communicated to their respective constituencies, allowing voters to know how frequently their elected representatives report for duty.
Lethole said the measure is designed to strengthen accountability by ensuring that citizens have access to information about the performance of the individuals they elected into office. He argued that voters deserve to know whether their representatives are fulfilling the responsibilities they were entrusted with before making future electoral decisions.
The proposal is one of the strongest attempts in recent years to tackle absenteeism through public accountability rather than relying solely on internal disciplinary measures. Senator Seabata Motsamai provided an update on the progress of the proposed Code of Conduct, revealing that it is currently before the Senate for consideration. He said senators are carefully examining the legislation before it proceeds through the remaining parliamentary processes.
Although he expressed optimism that the process is nearing completion, Senator Motsamai questioned whether the National Assembly would ultimately support the legislation in its current form. His concern stems from the fact that once enacted, the Code of Conduct will apply equally to all Members of Parliament, regardless of political affiliation or seniority.
Should the legislation become law, MPs who fail to attend sittings without valid reasons could face increased public scrutiny and pressure from the very communities that elected them.
The discussion at the Leadership Forum and Accountability Summit turned to broader concerns about accountability within democratic institutions and the need for public officials to lead by example. Participants said Parliament plays a central role in shaping national policy, approving legislation and providing oversight over government expenditure. For these responsibilities to be carried out effectively, lawmakers must consistently attend sittings, participate in debates and contribute to committee work.
Several speakers noted that strengthening Parliament requires more than legislative reforms. They argued that rebuilding public confidence also depends on restoring professionalism, discipline and ethical leadership within the institution. As Lesotho continues its efforts to strengthen governance and democratic accountability, the proposed Code of Conduct is being viewed as a significant step towards improving parliamentary standards.
Supporters believe the reforms could encourage greater discipline among lawmakers, increase transparency and reassure citizens that Parliament is committed to serving the public interest. Whether the proposed measures will be sufficient to eliminate chronic absenteeism remains to be seen. The message emerging from the Accountability Summit was clear: Members of Parliament are expected to fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to them by the electorate, and failure to do so should carry consequences.
