‘In the two-and-a-half years I was out of office, we did not have a leader who spoke constructively with his people. All he did was talk nonsense,’ says Dr Mosisili .
Bongiwe Zihlangu
Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili says the two-and-a-half-year administration of his predecessor, Thomas Thabane, is responsible for Lesotho regressing to number two on the HIV global ranking.
The Democratic Congress (DC) leader made the accusation yesterday as he addressed an African Women’s Month celebration in Berea. The event had been organised by women’s leagues of his seven-party coalition government under the theme ‘Empowering the African Woman Against HIV/AIDS, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Inheritance-Based Discrimination against Women and Girls’.
According to the premier who took over from the All Basotho Convention (ABC) leader in March this year after Lesotho went for an election two-and-a-half years ahead of schedule due to the collapse of Dr Thabane’s three-party government, poor policies were the reason why the country leapfrogged Botswana into second place on the infamous HIV index with a prevalence rate of 23 percent.
“Today, Lesotho ranks number two globally after dropping from number three in terms of HIV/AIDS infections simply because in the two-and-a-half years I was out of office, we did not have a leader who spoke constructively with his people; all he did was talk nonsense when he addressed the people. We cannot take pride in being number two in HIV/AIDS infections in the world. It is unfortunate and a shame that we are where we are today,” said Dr Mosisili, who is premier of a seven-party coalition government comprising his DC, Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Popular Front for Democracy (PFD), National Independent Party (NIP), Lesotho People’s Congress (LPC), Basotho Congress Party (BCP) and Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP).
Dr Mosisili, who was flanked by DC Secretary General Ralechate ‘Mokose, First Lady ‘Mathato Mosisili and DC Women’s League President Pontšo Sekatle, further condemned Dr Thabane for making “reckless” decisions, including neglecting anti-HIV/AIDS campaigns, which the premier said compromised the lives of many Basotho.
“It was reckless of him to neglect campaigns aimed at fighting the disease. For two-and-a-half years, nobody talked about it,” Dr Mosisili said.
“That is why I’m saying that bad governments make bad decisions.”
The premier also announced in a bid to curb the scourge of HIV/AIDS, government would soon re-launch the Know-Your-Status (KYS) to remind communities that it is their sole responsibility to “know your HIV-status”.
“When you know your status, you will change your lifestyle. Those who are infected will take their ARVs while those who are not will ensure they remain HIV-negative,” Dr Mosisili said.
“It’s by pure luck that some of you are not infected as yet.”
The DC leader also reminded supporters of the seven parties in government about the importance of the Abstain, Be Faithful and Condomise (ABC) principle, but particularly stressed the usage of condoms “if people cannot abstain”.
“We need to put our gloves on when we get into the ring so that we don’t injure one another. I always say ‘no glove, no love’. If you do not adhere to the ABC principle, then D which stands for death, will follow,” Dr Mosisili said.
The prime minister also touched on the sore topic of gender-based violence, saying women were usually the victims.
“When I think of it, I become ashamed that women bear the brunt of gender-based violence (GBV). Should we still call ourselves men when, on a daily basis, we abuse the very women who are our sole responsibility to protect?” Dr Mosisili asked.
The premier also maintained that imposing heavy prison sentences on perpetrators of GBV was not the solution but only “an interim compensatory measure”.
“Heavy sentences are but a temporary compensation. We need to establish the source of this type of violence and find solutions.
“I urge all women starting today, to launch a campaign to lobby and engage experts who will establish the root cause of this type of violence in our society, with a view to uprooting it once and for all.”
The DC leader again came down hard on fathers who commit incest with their daughters, hiding behind the old Sesotho adage that “Mokoko o itsoalla sethole” which when loosely translated, means a cock bears its own hen.
“This is abominable, not just in our eyes but in God’s eyes too. I am told that where it happens, the mothers of these girls just turn a blind eye and remain silent for fear of victimisation by their husbands.
“The rest of the family members also choose to sweep it all under the carpet to protect these men. We need to stand up and expose these perpetrators for justice to take its course.”
Speaking at the same commemoration, Dr Sekatle appealed to men and women alike to commit themselves to fighting the scourge of HIV/AIDS.
“HIV/AIDS is a monster swallowing all. I urge all women to return home, go into a journey of self-introspection, identify your weaknesses while at the same time praying to God, to bless you with outstanding qualities,” Dr Sekatle said.
“Only then can we fight this scourge and emancipate Lesotho from abject poverty.”
Dr Sekatle added during Dr Mosisili’s previous term of office which was ended by Dr Thabane in May 2012, “We succeeded in sensitising our people about HIV/AIDS.
“We taught them that HIV/AIDS was like any other incurable disease, that they should take their ARVs in order to live for their families. Those who are still negative, their best bet is to ensure that they stay that way,” Dr Sekatle said.
Meanwhile, Dr Thabane, who fled to South Africa in May this year after claiming there was a plot to assassinate him by the army, was not immediately available to comment on the premier’s accusations.