The Southern African Development Community (SADC) facilitation team led by Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke paid a courtesy call on His Majesty King Letsie III and the Prime Minister on Friday.
Deputy Chief Justice Moseneke and his delegation arrived in the country on March 11 as a follow-up on the meeting held in Tshwane with the Lesotho delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Mathibeli Mokhothu on March 4, 2021. The purpose of the meeting was to present the reforms progress report to the SADC facilitator.
In an interview with LENA, the Press Attaché to the Prime Minister, Mr Buta Moseme, said Justice Moseneke told the Prime Minister, Dr Moeketsi Majoro, and the Deputy Prime Minister that they came into the country to ensure that everything regarding the reforms process is on track as National Reforms Authority (NRA) is expected to complete its work by October this year.
Mr Moseme said the facilitator further urged NRA to complete its work on time so that Lesotho’s reforms issue would be included in discussions in the next SADC Heads of States Summit.
He added that Justice Moseneke noted that he would be disappointed if the reforms would not be part of the agenda during this summit.
Justice Moseneke is reported to have urged the government to work jointly with the National Assembly and NRA to prioritise and establish some laws before the upcoming general elections which include the Constitutional reforms among others.
Furthermore, Mr Moseme said the Prime Minister assured the facilitator and his team that there will be more progress on reforms before the general elections.
He added that while in the country, the team will meet with the Christian Council of Lesotho, the Chief Justice and judiciary delegation, College of Chiefs, NGOs and political parties outside Parliament.
They will also meet with the NRA Chairperson and his deputy as well as the NRA team, adding that before they leave the country for South Africa on Saturday, they will also meet with opposition parties in Parliament.
Lesotho’s journey of reforms started in 2018 with districts consultations to diaspora and other several activities, First and Second Multi Stakeholders meetings in which a comprehensive reforms report covering seven areas was presented to the mediator, Justice Moseneke on behalf of the SADC official mediator, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa. – LENA
