HLOTSE PUBLIC HEARINGS

 From the 3 rd to the 5 th February, Lesotho Democracy Programme held several Public Hearing in the Hlotse Constituency; these included the areas of Khanyane Moreneng,Ha Mphuthing, Ha Tsenase, Ha Mokoko and Ha Patlo

• The objective of these hearing was to: To increase public participation in parliamentary processes and improve a record of parliamentary engagement with Basotho including constituency feedback on parliament and constituency clinics.
• To improve MP’s relation with constituents by reporting back parliamentary activities such as Acts passed by parliament, bills, motions, questions and ministerial statements
• To sensitize constituents on parliament and MPs roles and parliamentary procedures; Acts passed by parliament and MP giving constituency feedback.
• To increase public participation in parliamentary processes and improve a record of parliamentary engagement with Basotho including constituency feedback on parliament and constituency clinics.
• To enhance public participation in parliamentary activities and capacitate constituents on law making process that encompasses public contributions.

In Khanyane Moreneng, the gathering concentrated on parliament and parliamentary roles; public participation in parliamentary issues so that 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 were to 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 long period of time for constituents. Local governance is encountering a massive challenge of councillors not collaborating or 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 that 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 form the opposition party, who is new in the 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. The MP concentrated on developments as most constituents’ interest is on their developmental needs as promised during election campaigns and expect delivery to be as such.

It is evident that the MP prioritises constituency work as constituency clinics have increased in the three years in office. Poverty alleviation programmes, agricultural schemes and capacity and foreign aid are needed as constituents are worst hit by rampant poverty, high unemployment and HIV and AIDS pandemic. It is apparent that there is a need for constituents, councillors, chiefs and the MP to collaborate and cooperate for development and service delivery in the constituency.

In Ha Mphuthing,the gathering was mainly on parliament and Acts passed by parliament; and MP reporting back to communities’ development within Hlotse constituency. Constituents were very passive and only a 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 lack of accountability to constituents as voters and tax payers. Developmental needs such as construction of roads, provision of water, electricity installation as well as schools and clinics’ construction also formed part of the discussions.  

Not much was debated as participants listened 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 aid and party affiliations 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 exacerbated the challenge further. It was evident that though the MP tried to be responsive to the needs of all constituents, he 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 is to harmonise relations between chiefs, councillors and the MP for interest of the public and their engagement in execution and implementation of duties.

Even though the gathering at Ha-Tsenase was not big, the 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 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 is 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 better authority, which would benefit the communities, speedy service delivery and improved developments. It should be a priority for voters that they select or elect candidates purely on the basis his/her competence, effectiveness and efficiency instead of party affiliation. Basically power would be in the hands of voters not parties.

The gathering at Ha Mokoko was relatively well attended but not active. However, most issues and concerns were the same as other villages with minor additions.  

It turned to be a norm for communities to complain about relations between the MP and councillor who is not cooperating and collaborating with both public and other authorities. Similar to other villages, former MPs gave little constituency feedback and constituency clinic 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 is 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.

Similar to other villages, constituents’ at Ha-Patlo were mainly concerned with development in the area more than the presence of their MP and direct contact with them. Constituents want development as promised during election 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. 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.

However, 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.

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