Nat Molomo

MASERU — The opposition Democratic Congress (DC) deputy leader Monyane Moleleki says his party “will not engage in the politics of boycotts”.
Moleleki who is also the official leader of the opposition in Parliament said this during his address to journalists at MISA-Lesotho’s press club on Friday.
Moleleki said as a responsible opposition in parliament they would not engage in boycotts or walk-outs in parliament.
DC will use all available channels, like division lobby and others to push its agenda, he said.
“We are a responsible opposition and we would like to be called or referred to as His Majesty’s loyal opposition,” Moleleki said.
“We are not an opposition which advocates attacks upon the ministers and walk-outs.”
Without mentioning any party by name but referring to the events of 2007 in which ministers’ homes were attacked, Moleleki said the DC’s opposition to Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s government is not going to be typified by attacks on ministers.
He noted that as part of efforts to help the government the DC had appointed shadow ministers to keep the ministries under spotlight.
Moleleki said Lesotho had done well in terms of governance.
This, he said, is indicated by the peaceful transition after the May 2012 election.
He hoped that the coalition government would also agree to hand over power.
Moleleki however noted that the DC was worried by the slow pace at which things are moving in the new government.
But when asked how the DC feels for being accorded the status of official opposition, which they denied Thabane in the previous parliament Moleleki shrugged off the question saying “they should have notified the Speaker in writing”.
He said their party was perturbed by the attacks made at ABC rallies on Fako Likoti, the only Independent Electoral commissioner.
“The IEC plays an important role. It gives Basotho opportunity to elect government,” Moleleki said.