Maseru, Feb. 21 — While everybody was ready for 2024/2025 fiscal year budget speech to be delivered by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Rets’elisitse Matlanyane, the Speaker of National Assembly Mr. Tlohang Sekhamane suspended the House until further notice.
This happened around 9:10 am after the Leader of Opposition Mr. Mathibeli Mokhothu stood on point of order saying the order paper stipulated ordinary business not joint sitting for the budget speech.
He indicated that if this is the case the House should therefore continue with usual Parliament business.
The Leader of Basotho National Party, Mr. Machesetsa Mofomobe also stood on point of order proposing that those who are not part of the House to leave or that the order paper be supplemented and let the budget speech resume and continue with ordinary business thereafter.
The Speaker therefore urged Senators to seat in the public gallery and suspended the House.
However the Agency has learnt that Heads of Diplomatic Missions remained in the House during suspension while Senators stood outside.
The new government will be presenting the budget estimates for the second time and it’s all eyes on the Minister of Finance.
