Maseru, Oct. 13 — Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Tlohang Sekhamane has welcomed Members of Parliament back from the winter recess during the reopening of the House on Friday.
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Sekhamane said the winter recess granted the members time to carry out some of the things they were not able to attend to due to parliamentary commitments.
The Speaker also stated that the members contributed in the successful holding of the Local Government elections as well as the 57th Independence celebrations.
He reminded the members about the constitutional case facing the National Assembly which has been instituted by Mr. Kananelo Boloetse, saying the appeal case will be heard by the Constitutional Court on October 24 and that the judgement will be delivered on November 17 this year.
The Speaker reminded the members that Mr. Boloetse was challenging the National Assembly’s resolution to reinstate the omnibus bill.
On the other hand he reminded the members about the court notice by All Basotho Convention (ABC) Leader, Mr. Nkaku Kabi as well as Basotho Patriotic Party (BPP) Leader, Mr. Tefo Mapesela who were challenging the National Assembly’s special meeting that was meant to deal with the national reforms.
He therefore noted that no date has yet been given on when this case will be heard and that the House is unable to deal with the omnibus bill pending the finalization of these cases.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Training, Professor Ntoi Rapapa on behalf of Minister of Finance and Development Planning, tabled Tobacco and Alcohol Products Levy (Amendment of Schedule) Regulations, 2023.
He also tabled the Financial Institutions (Computation of Capital Charge for Credit, Operational and Market Risks) Regulations, 2023.
The Minister also tabled the Central Bank (Collective Investment Schedule Amendment Regulations, 2023.
Prof. Rapapa also presented Centre for Accounting Studies Bill, 2023 for first reading.
