Farming equipment scandal
ABC condemns scandal as “glorified theft and corruption” by govt officials,
as DCEO confirms it is probing the scandal.
‘Marafaele Mohloboli
POLITICAL parties across the divide including the ruling All Basotho Convention (ABC) are up in arms with the government over the sale of government-owned farming equipment at knockdown prices to cabinet ministers, government legislators and other well-connected individuals.
Leading the howls of protests is ABC spokesperson, Montoeli Masoetsa, who told the
Sunday Express that the main ruling party was opposed to the “glorified theft and corruption” by cabinet ministers and other government officials.
The decision to sell the equipment at subsidised prices was taken by cabinet last November. It was meant to help local farmers to boost productivity and contribute to food security by using technology to plant and harvest crops. The equipment included tractors, planters, harvesters, seed bed cultivators a
Bereng Mpaki PALIAMENT has taken a break to allow its portfolio committees time to consult stakeholders on the 2021/22 budget estimates presented in the august house by Finance Minister Thabo Sophonea on Wednesday. The break is from 19 February to 9 March 2021. Legislators voted for the recess following a motion that was tabled […]
Limpho Sello THE Lesotho Nurses Association (LNA) has criticised legislators for allegedly ignoring striking Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) nurses’ legitimate salary and welfare grievances. In a strongly worded weekend statement, LNA president, Raphael Tlali, accused MPs of majoring on minor issues when parliament resumed its sittings on 15 February 2021 after a lengthy Christmas […]
MPs oppose virtual parliament sessions
Bereng Mpaki
MEMBERS of the National Assembly are resisting Speaker Sephiri Motanyane’s moves to replace physical sittings of parliament with virtual sessions as part of measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Yesterday, Opposition Alliance of Democrats (AD) proportional representation MP, Joang Molapo, said he had tabled a motion challenging Mr Motanyane’s decision.
“Honourable Thato Ntsibolane (Lesotho Congress for Democracy) and I submitted a motion asking the House to overturn the Speaker’s order for remote and hybrid sittings of parliament.
“The speaker did not address key issues including how debates will be handled particularly points of order, interjections; urgent questions and urgent business. His order is also silent on how ministerial statements, questions to ministries and voting will be conducted.
Sophonea to present budget on Wednesday Sophonea to present budget on Wednesday
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FINANCE Minister Thabo Sophonea will table the 2021/22 budget estimates before parliament on Wednesday.
In a savingram to the clerk of the National Assembly, Advocate Fine Maema, the finance ministry’s principal secretary (PS) Nthoateng Lebona said the Mr Sophonea will present the budget speech to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the Senate at 9am on Wednesday.
“The Minister of Finance, Mr Thabo Sophonea, will present the 2021/22 budget speech to Parliament on Wednesday 17 February 2021 at 9am,” Ms Lebona said in her savingram to Adv Maema.