Parliament reopens

There were mixed feelings when Parliament reopened on Friday, February 6, with the Speaker, Ms. Ntlhoi Motsamai announced the death of yet another member of the House whilst another took her seat as the new Member for Thaba Putsoa.

Mrs. ‘Mamolili Marupelo was sworn in as the new Lesotho Congress for democracy (LCD) Member of Parliament for Thaba Putsoa by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Matlamukele Matete, following her victory in the recent by-election in that Constituency. 

Hardly was this little celebration over than the Speaker announce solemnly the deaths of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Motimposo Constituency, Mr. Ts’eliso Maruping Mohloki and his wife, who both died in a car accident in November 2003 and have already been buried, and Mr. Motsoantoeng Morallana, MP for Mohobollo Constituency No.12. the latter is yet to be buried.

Members rose to give tribute to the late Mr. Mohloki, including representatives of the Marematlou Freedom Party, the Basotho National Party, the National Independence Party, the Lesotho People’s Congress and, the Basotholand Congress Party.

Earlier the Speaker had given a review of the last year’s business, highlighting among others Bills debated and passed and, the 15^th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, held in Maseru in December 2003.  The Forum deliberated on its transformation into a SADC Parliament.

The Speaker also reminded MPs of outstanding business before the House, including the Local Government  (Amendment) Bill 2003; Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2002; Public Service Bill 2003 and; the Labour Code (Amendment) Bill 2003.

The reopening coincides with that period in the Parliamentary calendar when the House performs one of its fundamental responsibilities of considering government’s proposals for budget allocations.  Members should therefore stick to their priorities and put the time they have to good use, she said.

 06 February 2004