Monyake launches PD, blasts Thabane

Keiso Mohloboli

THE newly-formed Progressive Democrat (PD) political party was officially launched yesterday at Pitso Ground with its leader, Mophato Monyake, taking aim at Prime Minister Thomas Thabane whom he said has failed dismally to lead the nation.

Addressing supporters who numbered less than 200, Mr Monyake said in the two and a half years of Dr Thabane’s premiership he has “shamed” Basotho by causing tension between the two security agencies – Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) and Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS).

“I was convinced that since Ntate Thabane participated in all the previous governments in the past he would excel once he was in charge,” said Mr Monyake.

“To my surprise, Ntate Thabane has shown lack of a clear strategy on how to tackle crime by politicising the police service.

“Ever since the coalition government took over from the Lesotho Congress for Democracy government led by former Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, the police had never submitted their yearly policing plan on strategies to be implemented to eradicate crime and one wonders how they are eradicating crime without a plan.”

He said Dr Thabane is full of empty promises and claims to be eliminating corruption yet he does not back up his promises with the needed resources.

“If he was indeed serious about rooting out corruption, Dr Thabane would support the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) financially so they can have offices throughout the country,” Mr Monyake added.

“Those people don’t have resources and it is difficult for them to complete investigations on time and accurately.”

He further stated that while Dr Thabane works to eradicate crime and corruption, he should also ensure his hands are clean.

On his own party, Mr Monyake said his party was formed to deliver Lesotho from poverty, unemployment, economic, HIV/AIDS, and the political and security crisis which he said is taking away Lesotho’s independence.

“Progressive Democrats are bringing in new way of politics with new strategies to correct the mess the country is in,” he said.

He said the general conference for the election of the party’s National Executive Committee would be held on 10 December.