The Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly Mr Matlamukele Matete has sworn-in members of the senate at a ceremony held at the national assembly on Thursday 4 July,2002 .Thirty-three members were sworn-in include 22 principal chiefs and 11 members appointed by the King with the advice of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister, Mr Pakalitha Mosisili and his cabinet ministers were among the participants at the swearing-in ceremony. During the ceremony the members of the senate also elected the president and deputy president of the senate. Chief Sempe Lejaha was re-elected without opposition as the president of the senate, while Mr Letapata Makhaola was elected by the majority with 16 votes, as Deputy President, while his opponents, Mr Paanya Phoofolo had 8 votes and Mr Nau Khali had with votes.

Chief Sempe Lejaha, The Senate President-Elect addressing Members of the House (pic. M.Kheleli)

Expressing a vote of thanks after being elected, President Lejaha thanked members of the senate for showing their confidence in him by re-electing him to the president's seat.“To be the president of the house is a very difficult task, but through the assistance and cooperation of honourable members I was able to fulfil my job, until the end of my term,” he added.

He said, “That was a good example on how the leaders of the people should always do, make decisions not as individuals but consider the nation first”.The Deputy President, Mr Makhaola also thanked members of the house for having confidence on him, and elected him to the senior post in the senate.

Chieftainess 'Malerotholi Ntsubise Sekhonyana, wife of the late Leader of the main opposition party in Parliament (BNP) Mr. Ret'selisitsoe Sekhonyana is sworn in as a new member of Senate. (pic. M.Kheleli)

The occasion was attended members of the senate, cabinet ministers, principal secretaries, senior government officials and the public.Meanwhile, the senate was adjourned indefinitely until further announcement.

 04 JULY, 2002