By Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU- The Speaker of the National Assembly Rt Hon Tlohang Sekhamane has referred the Democratic Congress (DC) MP (Member of Parliament) for Makhaleng No.50 Hon Mootsi Lehata to the disciplinary committee.
He said the matter has been referred to the relevant portfolio committee which will handle the matter and compile the report which will later be presented before the House to take appropriate action.
This comes after the complaints that Lehata came to the August house drunk last week.
Ethics, Code of Conduct, Immunities and Privileges Committee according to the Standing Order 97 (4) “investigate and consider all complaints of alleged breaches of privilege and contempt against the House…”.
This could land the MP in hot water as there is a video trending that has garnered significant public attention.
The Speaker received the three letters of complaint expressing dissatisfaction over the conduct of Makhaleng’s MP last week. The letters were written by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Hon Lejone Mpotjoane, Mabote No.29 Hon Lethole Lethole, and the concerned youth.
Meanwhile, the DC leader who doubles as Leader of Opposition and Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane objected to the Speaker that he cannot read the letters in parliament of the people who are not members of the August house.
The DC leader said public involvement in this issue was tantamount to Makhaleng’s MP’s “character assassination ” asking the Speaker if he would always entertain letters of the members of the public addressed to the parliament.
In his response, the Speaker said the voters have a right to express concern over how their representatives conduct themselves.
He also took a swipe at the Leader of Opposition, saying he failed to call Lehata, who belongs to his party, to order last week.
During last week’s Friday sitting, the situation became tense when Makhaleng MP charged at the Minister of Foreign Affairs warning the Minister not to get too familiar with him; saying “he uena sani, u se kaba ntloaela” which translates to “Hey you boy, don’t get used to me”. After closing the microphone, he uttered an unprintable expletive of the f-word nature.