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Massive boost for DC
‘Marafaele Mohloboli
TWO opposition Alliance of Democrats (AD) legislators, Mothepu Mahapa and Mokherane Tsatsanyane, have ditched the Monyane Moleleki-led party to join Deputy Prime Minister Mathibeli Mokhothu’s Democratic Congress (DC).
Their defections were announced yesterday in parliament by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sephiri Motanyane.
The announcement was greeted with loud cheers by some DC backbenchers. Thereafter, Messrs Mahapa and Tsatsanyane visited the DC party offices where they were given membership forms and party cards.
The defections also enabled the DC to finally get revenge on the AD, a party which was formed in December 2016 by former DC deputy leader Monyane Moleleki and a faction which had supported his failed bid to succeed then DC leader and Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.
MPs defect to DC
MASERU-THE Alliance of Democrats (AD) is in turmoil after two MPs defected to the Democratic Congress (DC) party yesterday.
Mokherane Tsatsanyane, the Stadium Area MP, crossed the floor with Tele’s Mothepu Mahapa. They were welcomed by throngs of DC followers.
Tsatsanyane defected from the All Basotho Convention (ABC) to the AD in June last year.
Back then he said he was unhappy that the ABC’s executive committee had disrespected the party leader and former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane.
This time he claims he is leaving because the AD refused to register him and his supporters as subscription paying members.
Tsatsanyane, Litjobo in war of words
MASERU-Alliance of Democrats (AD) spokesperson, Thuso Litjobo, cheered as Mokherane Tsatsanyane defected to his party seven months ago.
He had reason to be elated because capturing an All Basotho Convention (ABC) MP was a major coup. As far as he could see this was a sign that the AD was growing while the ABC was collapsing.
It was sweet revenge against the ABC for dumping the AD to form the government with the Democratic Congress (DC), a party that Litjobo had acrimoniously left three years earlier.
Tsatsanyane was one of former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s staunchest supporters, having been in the party for 14 years.
How to spin like the AD
This being an election session, it did not take long for some MPs to start backpedalling after people were disgusted by their fuel allowances. Caught with hands in the cookie jar, some MPs quickly pretended they were just counting the cookies.
Leading the pack of rats retreating from the granary were the AD MPs who said they were apologising for initially supporting the looting scheme.
Professor Ntoi Rapapa, the party’s deputy leader, called on the government to cancel the allowances.
Thuso Litjobo, the spokesperson, said they “unreservedly apologise” for backing the allowances.
It was a poorly choreographed charade that made AD leaders look like unskilled clowns. Mickey Mouse stuff!