|
| About LDP |
Activities |
News |
Events |
Downloads |
| |
|
Activities In the month of February LDP held public hearings and monitored lobby groups in a number of villages in the Hlotse constituency. Public hearings were held at Khanyane Moreneng, Ha-Mphuthing, Ha-Tsenase Ha- Mokoko and Ha-Patlo the objectives were:
At Khanyane Moreneng, the gathering concentrated on parliament and parliament roles; public participation in parliamentary issues so as constituents would be included in public policy engagement and have increased understanding of parliament, and all levels of government. In addition, constituency feedback and constituency clinics are be increased to build trust and good rapport between the MP and constituents. However, developmental needs of the community dominated the hearing with emphasis on councillor not performing as mandated by the law. The hearing was poorly attended resulting in TRC officers waiting for a longer period of time for constituents. It is evident that Local governance is encountering a massive challenge of councillors not collaborating nor cooperating with constituents by reporting back issues to constituents and working as mandated by the Local Government Act and regulations. It was therefore proposed that both Local Government and National elections be held concurrently so as both tiers of government would respect and understand each other for the benefit of Basotho. Capacitating and execution would be easier for both levels and governance, further influence of stronger party would be dominating instead of having conflicts and major party affiliations in both levels.One could observe that the MP from the opposition party, who is new in political arena, is reporting back parliamentary issues and developmental needs in the constituency strategically to woo constituents to his party. Hlotse constituency has been a strong hold of LCD until recently. The MP emphasised the value of individual constituent votes in both local and national level; which would determine the power and strength to elect or remove candidates from the office. One could observe that The MP concentrated on developments as most constituents interest was on their developmental needs as promised during election campaigns and expect delivery to be as such. It was evident that the MP prioritises constituency work as constituency clinics have increase in the three years in office. Poverty alleviation programmes, agricultural schemes and capacity and foreign aids are needed as constituents are worst hit by rampant poverty, high unemployment and HIV and AIDS pandemic. LDP is faced with a challenge of uniting and harmonising relations between constituents, councillors, chiefs and the MP to collaborate and cooperate for developments and service delivery in the constituency. The gathering at Ha-Mphuthing was mainly on parliament and Acts passed by parliament; and MP reporting back to communities developments within Hlotse constituency. Constituents were very passive and only few managed to attend as the chief had not properly organised the hearing. Same problem of council relations with chiefs and MP surfaced, with emphasis on respective councillor underperforming in her duties as there was apparent lack of transparency and accountability to constituents as voters and tax payers. Developmental needs such as construction of roads, water, electricity installation and schools and clinics construction also dominated discussions. Not much was debated as community listen passively with few utterances as responses. As the MP reported on developments within the constituency, emphasis was put on community to refrain from being highly dependent on foreign aids and party affiliated which hinder development and promote disunity and mistrust within the community. Earlier organised public gatherings failed due to the aforementioned; but the issue of having two levels of government namely: local and national government which are in conflict exacerbate the challenge further. It was evident that though the MP tried to be responsive to the needs of all constituents, he at times favoured his own party candidate in the local government to the ruling party one which in turn uses favouritism and discrimination in employment and foreign aid especially food aid. A major challenge faced by this community which LDP should rectify, is to harmonise relations between chiefs, councillors and the MP for interest of the public and their engagement in execution and implementation of duties. Though the gathering was not big but issues debated were very interesting with better understanding than the former two gatherings. Most concerns were on lack of public participation and public exclusion on policy engagement and imposition of laws on communities which are foreign; and lack Basotho norms and culture. Developmental needs were also a dire need. Most constituents still lack understanding of reasons of voting government into power and the strength of such vote. Evidently former MPs did not do constituency feedback, constituency clinics and consultative meetings. The current MP has done public gatherings twice to debate issues on parliamentary activities, good governance and developments- which are a major challenge and public main interest. However, the MP is expected to excel in developments and execution as voter satisfaction is determined by the incumbent’s performance in office. Considering Local government problems, it was proposed that there be a clear mandate of MPs and District Development Committee within councils with structured authority, which would benefit the communities, speedy service delivery and improved developments. LDP encouraged constituents that it should be a priority for voters that they elect candidates purely on the basis his/her competence, effectiveness and efficiency instead of party affiliation, as basically power would be in the hands of voters not parties. The gathering at Ha- Mokoko was relatively well attended and active. However, most issues and concerns were the same as other villages with minor addition. This community too had concerns about relations between the MP and councillor, who is not cooperating with both public and other authorities. Similar to other villages, former MPs gave little constituency feedback and constituency clinics and mostly concentrated on political rallies whose focus was on supporters’ benefit. While the current does such clinics and involve public in governance and development issues as a way of establishing oneself in political arena and communities. It is clear that there was mistrust between the council and the MP because public issues were not debated freely in the presence of the current MP as it dominated by the ruling party. Ha Patlo was similar to other villages; constituents’ main concerns were developments in the area more than the presence of their MP and direct contact with them. Constituents want developments as promised during elections campaigns. The ruling party had won this constituency for many years with exception of 2007 which was won by the main opposition party. The struggle of power is vivid which results in favouritism, discrimination and disunity in communities. The strength of party structures within the constituency plays a pivotal role as the political party become more powerful and coherent within both the legislature and electorate, such party is more likely to retain the positions and woo more voters. However, in order to win constituents the MP avails himself to constituents at all times and tries to be the MP for all not just his loyal supporters; which increases people’s trust and confidence in him. Unemployment and poverty are major challenges which should be dealt with if the incumbent MP wishes to be re-elected for another term; this could only be achieved through dedication, cooperation and collaboration with all stakeholders. Personal economic circumstances can affect and influence voter’s decisions though in many years they have not. It has been found out that when economic conditions deteriorate, voters are less likely to approve the current legislator. When unemployment rises, the number of incumbent MPs defeated should also rise. It is evident that there is high level of dissatisfaction with government among voters/constituents nationally. This in a way is responsible for much of the apathy and distrust of politics that has so weakened people’s faith in democracy and good governance. Management and monitoring of already established lobby groups were done in the same areas including Ha- Selibe. This was done with the intention to increase public participation in parliamentary processes and improve linkages between public/communities, parliament and parliamentarians. It was observed among others that Constituents need consultative meetings at least once a month for proper reporting back and provision of information from both councilors and MPs, the community lack of understanding of parliament and local government and importance of voting both levels into power as a constitutional right is not respected by decision makers and that the committee was concerned that they are sanctioned by the community which believed they have joined the opposition party hence should not be trusted. On the 14 th of January Parliament was prorogued pursuant to section 83 of the Constitution of Lesotho and acting with the advice of the Prime Minister, His Majesty King Letsie proclaimed that the prorogation of Seventh Parliament of Lesotho effective from the 15 th January 2009. The prorogation of Parliament ends a session. This is done by the His Majesty, on the advice of the Prime Minister, by the issuing of a proclamation published in the Lesotho Gazette. Both the Senate and the National Assembly stand prorogued until the opening of the next session. During a period of prorogation (or recess), the Speaker, the Prime Minister, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries remain in office and all Members of the House retain their full rights and privileges. The principal effect of ending a session by prorogation is to end business. All government bills that have not received Royal Assent prior to prorogation cease to exist; committee activity also ceases. Thus, no committee can sit after a prorogation. In order for government bills to be proceeded with in a new session, they must be reintroduced as new bills or they may be reinstated, if the House agrees to this. This confused most MP as it was the first time in the history of parliament of Lesotho; parliament was prorogued as way to allow government introspection in its annual plan and service provision. His Majesty re-opened parliament and made the Speech from the Throne and on the 6 th February 2009 to tackle different challenges faced by the Government of Lesotho. Bills to be debated this year are thus as follows:
With emphasis on public participation on parliamentary activities especially in parliamentary committees which are faced with a major challenge “taking parliament to the people”. Specific government policies are to be executed and implemented this year and need proper and timely planning. Sessional committees were formed to allow smooth operation of parliament. New party on the block Sankatana Party was formed by Hon. L. Tsehlana, MP for Mokhotlong who floor crossed from All Basotho Convention party (ABC). Another member of ABC Hon. E. Mokhanoi crossed the floor to join Sankatana Party citing unfair treatment of his constituency by the Executive Committee of ABC and being suspended by the party. One could observe that MPs continue to cross the floor and undermine electorates’ votes as they retain their seats until the end of Seventh Parliament. It further, undermines representative parliamentary democracy and reinforces fragility of country democracy. There is no dispute that crossing the floor for money or personal gain is both immoral and a betrayal of the voters’ trust. However, when the MP crosses not for personal gain but in the interest and welfare of his constituents then he should be commended. Prior to National Budget Speech presented of the 18 th February, LDP had a meeting with Economic and development Cluster. Objective of the meeting was form collaboration with TRC/LDP to strengthen parliamentary committee operations in budget scrutiny. However, the committee is faced with major challenges such:
It was found that the committee needed short and long term resolutions for future prospects so as their influence could alter budgetary processes and systems resulting in public involvement in the matter. |
|
||
(c) 2008 Lesotho Democracy Programme |