Maseru, Oct.12 —The Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Tlohang Sekhamane, has urged the Minister of Home Affairs and Police to return to the House to clarify the retention of police officers who are on leave pending retirement.
He made the call in the House on Monday, following a point of order raised by the Leader of Basotho National Party (BNP) Mr. Machesetsa Mofomobe, who alleged that the Minister had misled the House by stating that only police officers on leave pending retirement would be retained, claiming he had a list indicating that even officers who had already retired and out of the system would be retained.
The Speaker said although he could not fully understand Mr. Mofomobe’s argument, as he had not identified the officers who had already retired but were allegedly being retained, advising the Minister to return to the House and clarify the matter.
Mr. Mofomobe further alleged that the list in his possession indicated that a total of 79 police officers would be retained, contrary to the Minister’s earlier statement in the House that only 29 officers would be retained.
In another issue, Mr. Mofomobe moved an urgent motion requesting the government to intervene in the case of a Mosotho man, Mr. Katleho Malefane, who urgently requires surgery in South Africa after sustaining gunshot injuries but has reportedly been denied treatment on grounds that he is a foreign national.
Mr. Mofomobe said the matter required the Lesotho Government to engage its South African counterpart through the respective High Commissions of the two countries, in line with recent bilateral agreements between them.
The Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms. Nthati Moorosi, thanked Mr. Mofomobe for bringing the matter to the Government’s attention, saying that the authorities had been unaware of the situation.
She also requested Mr. Mofomobe to provide the patient’s contact details to facilitate assistance.
Ends/LP
