Maseru, Aug.25 — The High Court exercising its constitutional jurisdiction has on Friday ruled that it is well within the powers of the 11th Parliament to reinstate the business of the 10th Parliament.
The ruling was made in a case in which Yearn for Economic Sustainability (YES), Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho and Kananelo Boloetse were challenging the recall of the 11th Parliament to discuss the 11th Amendment to the Constitution Bill of 2022.
The court dismissed the application and stated that the current parliament is in session, unlike the 10th parliament which was recalled after it was dissolved following a declaration of state of emergency. It emphasised that all Bills originate from the National Assembly adding that it is up to them to reinstate the business of the previous parliament, but in compliance with the Constitution.
The Court also ruled that it has jurisdiction to entertain the application. It stated that an allegation that reinstatement of the Bill endangers the Constitution, as argued by the applicants in the matter, is sufficient to engage the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court.
