’Marafaele Mohloboli

A case between the Lesotho People’s Congress (LPC), its National Executive Committee (NEC) and leader Molahlehi Letlotlo has been set for 5 September in the High Court.

This followed Judge ’Maseshophe Hlajoane’s ruling on Tuesday that all points of law raised in the application be dismissed on reasons yet to be publicized.

Legal representatives from both parties have agreed with the office of the High Court Registrar to the set date when the main application will be argued.

Some members of the LPC wanted to block the party’s elective conference on the basis Mr Letlotlo and his NEC did not have the powers to hold such an assembly.  They slapped the latter with a court order in October 2015.

Mr Letlotlo and his co-respondents pleaded with the court that the case be postponed as they had not adequately prepared for it. Their prayer was granted and the matter postponed to 2 February 2016.

On the said date, the respondents pleaded to be allowed the chance to include some of their affidavits in their documents and the matter was again postponed to 11 May 2016.

Part of the argument by Mr Letlotlo and the NEC was three members of the NEC, Telang Mpole representing the youth committee, ’Mapaseka Mothae for the women’s league and Moeketsi Nonyane who had replaced the party’s secretary general, were  were not included in the court order and wanted them to be joined in the court order and the application to be dismissed.

However the applicants queried the trio’s eligibility as members of the NEC on the basis that they did not even have direct and substantial interest in the matter before court.

On Tuesday, the court decided that all points of law raised in this matter are not valid enough to warrant for the dismissal of the application hence the set September 5 date.

Besides the party leader, other respondents in this matter are Mabala Maqelepo, ’Mapaballo Molibeli, ’Makopano Sekhobo, ’Maleseli Leseli and Tseko Koantle.

Advocate Qhalehang Letsika is representing the applicants while Advocate Zwelakhe Mda is for the respondents.