By ’Mankholi Ramabitsa
Veiled personal attacks and accusations of delinquency by Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro against his political opponents have irritated Movement for Economic Change (MEC) leader, Selibe Mochoboroane – leading him to deprecate the head of government, calling him corrupt.
Majoro on Wednesday in a public gathering at Mount-Moorosi, Quthing, made aspersions against Mochoboroane and fellow treason and murder accused, Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) leader Mothetjoa Metsing that angered followers and sympathizers of the two political outfits.
The prime minister’s detractors charge that what was supposed to be a public gathering took a turn and turned into a political rally.
Majoro draws first blood
Addressing the people Majoro remarked on what he called frustration within the government he leads caused by some of his fellow politicians.
“You probably must have heard from those who love riding on the radio waves that I was being referred to as former prime minister, as we now have a new premier…and in so saying referring to this new head of government being one of my most loved ministers, my beloved boy.
Let me assure you that I am still your prime minister until after the 2022 elections, those are false allegations peddled by those who don’t understand that I am not a political party prime minister but the nation’s,” Majoro said.
This follows a publicized All Basotho Convention (ABC) executive committee decision to recall Majoro as head of government and replace him with Nkaku Kabi, former minister of agriculture and an executive committee member of the ABC.
Majoro is the deputy leader of the Motsoahae Thabane-led ABC, appointed into the position after taking over the reins of government from Thabane in a parliamentary vote; Thabane was pushed from the helm of government by stalwarts at the height of long-drawn-out internal wrangling for the party’s leadership.
Recent developments within the party have seen new factions emerge, with a Thabane-led crusade campaigning for Majoro’s ouster.
“There is not a single day when a political party can swear that it voted for a prime minister, they are voted for by Members of Parliament (MPs) in the august House. When I became head of government there were those who fought against my nomination and vowed I will not hold the position…but MPs voted me to be one. By so saying I would like to allay your fears, I am at your service.”
Majoro said the commotion that is being heard that he be removed from “is made by politicians who are simply trying to hide when crime they have committed are being brought to the fore. run away from their crimes.”