FIRE ERUPTS AS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEBATES ON VEHICLE SCHEME
	The Minister of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing Mr Mpho Malie has urged Members of Parliament to deal with real issues affecting the public and put their political interests aside. Mr. Malie said this in the National Assembly last Wednesday during the debate over the motion to disallow the provision of the vehicles' scheme (Amendment of Schedule) Regulations 2006 on MPs benefits in which cabinet ministers and holders of statutory positions bought vehicles at residual value. He cited that some MPs have sensationalised the issue of acquiring vehicles to achieve their political aspirations. 'If it is wrong to allow cabinet ministers and holders of statutory positions to buy these vehicles, it is important that the issue be discussed in a more rational manner,' he requested. He said given the imminent general elections due to be held in April next year, he is aware that , some people are using this issue to attack government and win the electorate. The leader of the Popular Front for Democracy (PFD) Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane had moved that the House disallow the provision of the MPs salaries (Amendment of Schedule) Regulations 2006 as contained in Schedule 2 categories A2, B2, C2 and D2. He said the provisions allow the cabinet ministers to buy both vehicles at residual value, at the end of three years of the vehicle's usage or at the end of one's tour of duty. Advocate Rakuoane felt that the regulations were not clear and ought to be clarified. He was seconded by Member of Parliament for the Basotho African Congress (BAC) MP Mr. Hape Tsakatsi. Mr. Tsakatsi said the National Assembly is a legislative body whose members have been entrusted by the public to make laws and also overlook the use of public funds. He said that the House should have consulted the electorate before taking decisions such as this one. Basotho National Party (BNP) MP Mr. Thabang Nyeoe said the issue is not acquisition of vehicles but the price at which they have been acquired. He added that despite numerous attempts by government to clarify, the explanations are not convincing. He therefore said it was proper for the House to review the scheme so that they could agree on a something that will be accepted by all. The debate is continuing.
	Source: LENA