Twenty-one members of parliament, including one Senator, under the banner of the ruling All Basotho Convention (ABC) have petitioned Prime Minister Thomas Thabane calling him to take control of the in-fighting party to bring stability. This follows protracted friction within the party since controversial elective conference of national executive committee (NEC), the results of which have not been accepted by some members who challenged them in court. The case is scheduled to be heard on March 5 while the outgoing NEC hold office on the interim basis at the decision of the court pending the finalisation of the court case. However, the new NEC is adamant that it is the only one that is legitimate.
news
Feb. 28, 2019
STAFF REPORTERS
3 min read
ABC MPs petition Thabane
ABC MP for Mosalemane Sam Rapapa
The court challenge claims that the number of votes for NEC elections surpassed those of the total number of party delegates and therefore elections should be recounted and /or there should be repeat of elections. The petition written to Dr Thabane on Tuesday asks him to ensure that the newly elected NEC take control and leadership of the party under his supervision following the outcome of the conference as per the ABC constitution. They further express fear that “in continuing to pay monthly subscription to the party because such money is not under the supervision of the committee that has been elected by party supporters… the elected committee is the one entrusted to oversee the work of the ministers according to the party policy.”
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According to the petition, the delay in putting the newly elected party into power affects the work of ABC as the party leading the coalition government, especially since this happens at the time when the government is faced with the challenge of resolving public issues. The co-ordinator of the petitioners, MP for Mabote, Fako Moshoeshoe said yesterday that Dr Thabane has given them green light to hold caucus on Friday. Asked why they could not wait for the party's case which is still pending before court to be finalised, he said this is “because Dr. Thabane has the power as leader of the party and also the Prime Minister to mediate between the two parties at loggerheads so that the matter can be settled out of court.”
In an earlier interview with Montoeli Masoetsa, new NEC Public Relations Officer, there are possibilities of court settlement between the rival groups, only if Dr Thabane could use his powers to bring the parties together to map the way forward, “but he seems to be taking sides with the old NEC, so it might be hard for him to intervene.” Samonyane Ntsekele, the outgoing secretary general, told Metro that “the ABC saga was dragged to courts by some members who were advancing their own personal interests.”
He explained: “We all want a solution to this problem. However, the issue of someone who forced himself into ABC NEC through court order is the one that caused conflict and tension within their party.” Professor Nqosa Mahao was recommended by contest for the position of deputy leader but was not approved by the ABC NEC until he went to court which ruled in his favour in the late hours of the conference in progress. The ballot papers had to be amended at the court order to include his name which was not included. According to Phakiso Samuel Motaung, known as ‘Bishop Kobotata’, head of ad-hoc team responsible for logistics for the new NEC, told Metro that the new committee would hold a constituency indaba at Lithabaneng constituency on March 3 to inform members about the latest developments in the party affairs.
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