MPs have asked Speaker of Parliament, Tlohang Sekhamane, to protect them against army boss, Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, who they say is now threatening them. The Basotho National Party (BNP) leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe, stood on a point of order on Monday and asked Sekhamane to protect MPs against Lt Gen Letsoela.
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He said Sekhamane should take concrete steps to protect them.
“You should protect us now that we have been putting our matters before this House,” Mofomobe said.
Mofomobe told Sekhamane that Lt Gen Letsoela had talked about ’Maletsunyane MP, Peiso Kelane, at a parade.
Kelane had asked Prime Minister Sam Matekane in parliament why senior officers in the army who have reached retirement age were not retiring.
“It was after the ’Maletsunyane MP asked the question to the Minister of Defence about soldiers who are supposed to be on pension but are still in service,” Mofomobe said.
Sekhamane asked to be given some 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 said.
Kelane rose on another point of order and told the House that he had indeed been threatened.
“The commander conducted a parade after I wrote the question to parliament enquiring about their retirement,” Kelane, a former sergeant in the army, said.
He said his question only wanted to get clear answers as to why people who have reached pension age werestill in service in the army.
Soldiers reach retirement age at the 55 but officers’ engagements can be extended on contract.
Lt Gen Letsoela has passed the retirement age.
“The very following day on Friday, Letsoela (called) a parade saying I am a dangerous soldier who needs to be brought under control,” Kelane said.
He said he is no more a soldier, but an MP with a right to ask questions in the House.
“He says I am fighting with him and I am a criminal,” he said.
He said he is a retired soldier and should not be afraid to speak about national matters.
“I was not elected in here to work for Letsoela. If he is part of Basotho I will always talk about him,” Kelane said.
Sekhamane asked Kelane not to mention Lt Gen Letsoela by name but only talk about his office.
“Accept that you are wrong by naming and shaming,” Sekhamane said.
Sekhamane also said parliament will have to investigate the matter.
“I will work hard to stop other arms of government from interfering with others. That is called separation of powers,” he said.
He said the conflict between MPs and the army causes discomfort.
“We will work it out within the confines of the law so that there is peace.”
The All Basotho Convention (ABC) MP, Lebohang Hlaele, complained that not long ago Lt Gen Letsoela claimed the flag was heavy and would take it to Matsieng if reforms are not passed.
“As the Speaker you were there during those treasonous speeches by the army command and you did nothing about it,” Hlaele said.
Hlaele again said they were shocked when Lt Gen Letsoela appeared in the media ordering 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 said.
Sekhamane argued that the issues that were spoken outside parliament cannot be given directives by parliament.
Health Minister Selibe Mochoboroane said the powers and privileges of MPs allow them to talk about 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.
“It would not be right for people to accuse MPs of speaking in parliament,” he said.
The army spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sakeng Lekola, denied that the commander had spoken about Kelane at a parade.
“We hold parades every day, but I have never heard Kelane’s name being mentioned,” Lt Col Lekola said.
He said those who are making the allegations should provide proof before talking.
Nkheli Liphoto
