Members of Parliament have asked the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Tlohang Sekhamane, to protect them against Lesotho Defense Force Commander Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, who they say is now threatening them. The Basotho National Party (BNP) leader, Hon. Machesetsa Mofomobe, raised a point of order on Monday and requested Sekhamane to shield MPs from Commander Letsoela.
He urged Hon. Sekhamane to take concrete steps for their protection. “You should protect us now that we have been presenting our concerns before this House,” Mofomobe stated.
Mofomobe informed Hon. Sekhamane that Lt. Gen. Letsoela had mentioned ‘Maletsunyane MP, Hon. Peiso Kelane, at a parade. Hon. Kelane had questioned Prime Minister Matekane in parliament about why senior army officers who have reached retirement age were not retiring.
“It was after Hon. Maletsunyane asked the Defence Minister about soldiers who are supposed to be on pension but are still in service,” Hon. Mofomobe said.
However, Hon. Sekhamane requested time to investigate the issue. “It would not be right for members of this House to be harassed for raising questions in the House,” Sekhamane stated.
Hon. Kelane rose on another point of order and informed the House that he had indeed been threatened. “The commander conducted a parade after I submitted the question to this House asking about general staff retirement,” Hon. Kelane said.
Soldiers reach retirement age at 55 years but can be engaged on contract if necessary. Lt. Gen. Letsoela has surpassed the retirement age. “The very next day on Friday, Letsoela addressed a parade saying I’m trying to challenge him (‘ke lebahanya thebe le ena’),” Hon. Kelane added.
He emphasized that he is no longer a soldier but an MP with the right to ask questions in the House. “He says I am fighting with him and I am a criminal,” he said. “I am a retired soldier and should not be afraid to speak about national matters. I was not elected to work for Letsoela. If he is part of Basotho, I will always speak about him,” Kelane stated.
Hon. Sekhamane called Hon. Kelane to order and insisted that he address the commander’s office, not him personally. “You’ll agree with me that you are wrong for naming the commander; rather address his office,” Hon. Sekhamane said.
Sekhamane assured the House that he will thoroughly investigate these allegations, working within the confines of the law. He assured the House that no arm of government will interfere with the work of another.
Hon. Lebohang Hlaele also expressed concern, complaining that not long ago, Commander Letsoela claimed the flag was heavy and threatened to take it to Matsieng (implying a coup) if reforms were not passed. “As the Speaker, you were present during those treasonous speeches by the army commander, and you did nothing about it,” Hon. Hlaele said.
Hon. Hlaele further noted their shock when Lt. Gen. Letsoela appeared in the media instructing MPs to focus on reforms and nothing else. “You did nothing when Letsoela was ordering MPs. How can we trust your promises as the Speaker?” he questioned.
Sekhamane argued that issues spoken about outside parliament cannot be directed by parliament. Health Minister Selibe Mochoboroane stated that the powers and privileges of MPs allow them to discuss everyone and everything while in the House. “The law protects members in several ways. No one has to search MPs on their way to parliament,” Mochoboroane said. He promised that the government will investigate the matter.
In response to Hon. Mochoboroane, Hon. Mofomobe said, “As much as we appreciate the minister’s response, some of us know what we are dealing with here… the military uses their Facebook page to respond to MPs, they post things and then delete them…
“This government is creating a monster, and he will come for them. Some of us have dealt with him and know he has taken bodyguards from ministers,” Hon. Mofomobe said.
In an effort to respond to the speaker’s demand for evidence that Letsoela indeed threatened Hon. Kelane, Hon. Mofomobe said that would not be safe because the commander is likely to pursue the person who provided information about the parade he held.
