Mohloai Mpesi 

MEMBERS of Parliament (MP) and senators have been inducted on the 11th Amendment to the Constitution Bill, 2024, ahead of its tabling in the National Assembly in the coming weeks. 

The one-day induction workshop was convened on behalf of the legislative committee in the Senate and the Portfolio Committee for Law and Public Safety Cluster by the former National Reforms Authority (NRA) Technical Committees’ Chairpersons in Maseru on Thursday.   

Legitimacy of the original 11th Amendment to the Constitution Bill, 2022, was challenged by local journalist Kananelo Boloetse, when it was only left with His Majesty King Letsie III’s signature to become law. 

Mr Boloetse challenged the Bill’s legitimacy after former Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro’s government declared a state of emergency to recall the 10th parliament, to pass it. 

The High Court sitting as a Constitutional Court, upheld Mr Boloetse’s application saying the declaration of a state of emergency was illegal. The matter went to the Court of Appeal which upheld the decision. 

The 11th parliament’s endeavours to redeem the Bill after its election in October 2022 was also met with challenges. 

Mr Boloetse filed another application, arguing that all the Bills that collapsed before the 10th parliament was dissolved ought to be introduced afresh.  That essentially meant that the reforms process should be started anew. 

Addressing the induction workshop, Minister of Law and Justice, Richard Ramoeletsi, said that the cabinet cubcommittee on national reforms which is led by Deputy Prime Minister, Nthomeng Majara, found it imperative to hold the workshop for the Senate Legislative Committee and the Portfolio Committee for Law and Public Safety Cluster, since some of the MPs were novice to the reforms journey as they had found the process already underway. 

“This is to shed light to them about the Omnibus Bill so that when the Bill reaches their respective committees, they are able to work quickly,” Mr Ramoeletsi said.  

“The cabinet subcommittee on national reforms also found it imperative to invite the former NRA technical committees’ chairpersons, so that they can confirm and ascertain that what is being discussed is indeed the document they presented to the former minister of Law and Justice before that government’s tenure ended,” Mr Ramoeletsi said. 

For her party, DPM Majara who doubles as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (IS THIS CORRECT), appealed to the MPs to work harmoniously, and not allow their individual interests to prevail over those of the nation. 

“I appeal to everyone of us, that we should get into discussions peacefully, with unity and the spirit of building a new Lesotho and our future,” Ms Majara said. 

“This reforms platform is not a place to betray one another, or a place to compete politically. Let us allow it to be a chance given us by God to transform our country, build unity and put aside our own interests.”