Senators converged to resume parliament debates on Tuesday for the second meeting after winter break.

Officially opening the second meeting of the Seventh Parliament on Tuesday, the Vice President of the Senate, Mr. Hlomohang Morokole said from now on, the House will prorogue (discontinue its meetings) after every 12 months, and this will happen for a period of five years.

He said this is aimed at granting members an opportunity to review their performance after every session.

Mr. Morokole expressed believe that Senators have used the winter break profitably by reporting back to the people in their various villages and districts.

He added that it is important for members to give feed back to people they represent in the Senate about issues that have been discussed and bills that have been passed during the last meeting.

He said there have been achievements during the break whereby some members of Parliament participated in Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)'s Conference for the Africa Region in Cape Town.

Some members also attended Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference for Africa Region, which was held at Kasane in Botswana.

He further noted with regret the death of Senator Lekhetho Phakisi, who was the Assistant Minister for Gender and Chieftainess 'Majoele Kuini Mopeli of Botha-Bothe during the first meeting of the parliament.

During the first meeting, Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2007 and Appropriation (2007/2008) Bill, 2007 were passed.

Meanwhile, the Acting Principal Chief of Botha-Bothe, Chief Joele Joseph Mopeli was sworn in as a new member of the Senate.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mr. Morokole said the new Senator was appointed by the Mopeli family to replace the vacancy that was left by the late Chieftainess 'Majoele Kuini Mopeli.

He urged the new Senator to perform his duties in accordance with the Constitution of Lesotho and chieftainship Act of 1968 in order to rule the public as expected.
 

Source: LENA 18/09/2007