Billy Ntaote
THE four-party opposition alliance yesterday honoured the spouses of politicians, soldiers and activists who were exiled in South Africa in a colourful event held at Lehakoe Recreation Club Hall.
Among the notable attendees was All Basotho Convention (ABC) leader Thomas Thabane and his spouse ‘Maisaiah, Basotho National Party (BNP) leader Thesele ‘Maseribane and his spouse ‘Maretšelisitsoe and Reformed Congress of Lesotho (RCL) leader Keketso Rantšo.
Dr Malimpho Moleleki, the wife of AD leader Monyane Moleleki, was also in attendance along with the spouses of exiled and mutiny suspected soldiers.
Dr Thabane, Chief ‘Maseribane and Ms Rantšo sought refuge in South Africa in May 2015 saying they feared for their lives after being alerted of a plot to kill them by the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF). However, the LDF has consistently denied the allegations.
Some members of the LDF also fled the country between May and June 2015 after 23 of their colleagues were arrested for allegedly being part of a plot to unseat the army command.
The LDF has since been releasing the detainees in batches under open arrest – a form of military bail – with the last seven released earlier this month. They still face mutiny charges, with the court martial having postponed their case to 18 April 2017 earlier this month.
The three opposition leaders and other activists returned home on 12 February 2017, after their demand for LDF commander Lt-Gen Tlali Kamoli to be retired was met by the government last December.
However, some LDF members remain in exile.
The light-hearted event was emceed by ABC stalwart Mamandla ’Musa amid song and dance.
Addressing the gathering, Chief ’Maseribane paid tribute to the Dr Thabane and his wife, saying he had visited the former premier at his then Ficksburg hideout and eavesdropped a conversation in which the ABC leader was expressing his love for ‘Maisaiah.
“I encourage all the couples to keep supporting their spouses and loving them unconditionally,” Chief ’Maseribane said.
“Ntate Thabane’s love for his wife shows how valuable spousal support is for the exiled and mutiny-accused soldiers through tough times. It keeps everyone hopeful that their situation will change for the better.”
He said the upcoming polls also called upon spouses to once again offer much-needed moral support. The snap general elections are slated for 3 June 2017 after King Letsie III dissolved parliament on 6 March 2017.
“When it comes to compiling those proportional representation lists of the candidates for the elections, we definitely need our spouses’ support as this is going to be a tough time within our parties once again as we give our rulings on internal party disputes,” added Chief ’Maseribane.