IN its sitting after winter recess, Lesotho parliament remembered casualties of current and former members who passed on this year and sent condolences to the families and King Letsie III for the losses.
news
Oct. 5, 2020
STAFF REPORTER
2 min read
Parliament remember casualties
MP Thuso Litjobo member of main opposition Alliance of Democrats (AD)
A moment of silence was observed before any business of the day for members of parliament to remember their fallen colleagues who passed on during the house's winter break.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Sephiri Motanyane said the members would be given time to each pass their condolences on the day to be announced for the obituary of the late legislators.
The Speaker identified the legislators who have passed on as former Kolo Member of Parliament Ezekiel Leeto who died on July 5 and laid to rest on July 25 after meeting his untimely death while still a member of parliament.
There was also a former Member of Parliament for Maama constituency, Thabiso Melato who died on July 24 and buried August 8. The former Minister of Forestry and Land Reclamation Ralechate 'Mokose also died on September 13 and laid to rest on September 25 after short illness while he was on a foreign service assignment in Canada as Ambassador.
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Another former member of parliament who was once Minister of Public Works and Transport, Tséle Chakela died on September 24 and laid to rest on October 2.
“We are saddened by their passing and will permit the members to pass on their condolences on a date and time yet to be announced as is always the norm,” explained Mr Motanyane.
In his welcoming remarks to the members, Mr. Motanyane reminded them that before they adjourned for the winter break, they were faced with a challenge of COVID-19 pandemic and warned them that the pandemic was still the challenge even today and therefore should be ready to fight against the spread of the disease.
Apart from the opening remarks from the Speaker, only two ministers; Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Thabiso Molapo and Minister of Finance Thabo Sofonea submitted subordinate laws before the house, which were not discussed.
Although the brief sitting did not dwell much on the usual business, it was dotted by a few points or order from the opposition bench. A Member of Parliament from the main opposition Alliance of Democrats (AD) Thuso Litjobo stood on a point of order to ask the Speaker if he had not received a letter from the opposition informing the house that the nine-party coalition government has lost numbers and that has eventually relegated it to minority government.
Mr Motanyane had none of it, advising him that his point of order was actually a question that needed a notice.
The parliament will resume with real business from Tuesday October 6.
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