Mosisili’s approval rating is worse than that of Swaziland’s King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, who got the thumbs up from 56 percent of his people. This is despite that he has led his country to near bankruptcy and blocked democratic reforms while jailing those that dare challenge him. Among the 34 countries surveyed only four leaders have approval ratings worse than that of Mosisili. And of those four two are still in power. When Malawi’s Bingu wa Muthrika died in April, 64 percent of Malawians thought he was doing a bad job of running their country. In Senegal 70 percent disapproved of the way Abdoulaye Wade, who has since left power, was ruling. In Zimbabwe 62 percent thought Robert Mugabe who has ruled the country for 32 years is doing badly as a leader. Almost eight in every 10 Angolans disapprove of Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, their leader of 32 years. Burundi’s Pierre Nkurunziza had the highest approval rating of 89 percent. He is followed by Benin’s Yayi Boni who is approved by 87 percent of his people.

In Botswana Ian Khama has an approval rating of 81 percent and 57 percent of South Africans thought their president Jacob Zuma is doing a good job. The survey showed that although Mosisili’s approval ratings were low Basotho thought worse of the whole country’s leadership in general.  For instance only 37 percent of Basotho approved of the country’s leadership. Because the survey was conducted in 2011 this means Basotho rated Mosisili better than the Lesotho Congress for Democracy government. This, Gallup said, is not surprising because “Africans tend to rate their heads of state’s performance highly than they rate that of the country’s leadership more generally”. “This suggests that in most cases, Africans differentiate between the top leader’s actions and those of the broader leadership”. The survey states that the state of the local economy does have an influence on Africans’ assessments of their country’s leader. “It is important to note that many countries in the region including those that are not resource rich — experienced relatively strong economic growth from 2010 to 2011,” the survey says. “But other factors are also at play. Confidence in institutions is strongly associated with approval of the chief executive’s performance.”

Those who were confident in the honesty of elections, the survey added, were far more likely than those who were not “to say they approve of their leader’s performance”.  Confidence in the judicial system elicited similar levels of approval ratings, the survey added. However, the survey is quick to point that a leader’s tenure of office was not strictly related to their performance. That is
indicated by Cameroon’s Paul Biya who has been in power for a record 29 years but managed to score 73 percent in approval ratings. Further, the research says, findings suggest that while local economic conditions do matter, other factors may be more significant to the leaders’ ratings. “Governance issues, such as the honesty of elections and the judicial system, seem to matter much more in the eyes of most Africans,” the survey says. “Other factors, such as political apathy, may play a role as many may not be interested in political affairs and tacitly disapprove of their leader’s
performance.” The survey adds that in some countries, Africans’ voices come through loud and clear at the ballot box while “heeding the will of the people is still a work
in progress” in other countries, the survey said.

Mosisili has been in office for a record 14 years and is currently running for a fourth term under the banner of his newly formed DC. The DC is a splinter party of the former ruling LCD which Mosisili was forced to abandon after 15 years at the helm, due to factional battles. When contacted for comment last night, DC deputy leader Monyane Moleleki said he was not in a position to respond until he had seen the survey. “I’d be very happy to give an informed response about that survey, but only once I’ve seen and studied it,” Moleleki said. DC secretary general Ralechate ‘Mokose said “the onus is on the nation to speak at the May 26 election”. “All I can say is that the May 26 election will prove otherwise,” ‘Mokose said. DC deputy-secretary general Semano Sekatle added even though Gallup was an
international agency “its opinion is flawed”. “Theirs is an opinion of foreigners who know nothing about Lesotho,” Sekatle said.

The LCD took the DC to the tribunal on April 16 accusing it of seizing some of its property when they broke away in February. The property included stamps, membership registers, membership forms and cards, flags, money, receipt books, bank books, stationery and a stone cutting machine. “Noting that the DC has not taken the opportunity afforded to it by the tribunal to either refute this evidence or facilitate transfer of the LCD property held by some members and office bearers of the DC, the tribunal concludes DC has in effect hampered the rights and freedoms of LCD,” the tribunal ruled. “In terms of the electoral  code all parties had undertaken to do nothing to impede the democratic right of any political party through its candidates, canvassers and representatives to have reasonable access to electors for the purpose of conducting elector education, fund-raising, canvassing membership and soliciting support.” The tribunal also noted that despite repeated requests and exchange of correspondence between the LCD and DC, the latter had refused to hand over the property to the LCD. The LCD presented oral and written evidence. Nine witnesses for the party corroborated the evidence given by LCD treasurer Lebohang Nts’inyi.

The DC, which was the defendant, cross-examined Nts’inyi only. The tribunal noted that the cross-examination of this witness did not refute the evidence she gave. “The DC did not cross-examine the rest of the complainants’ witnesses because they willingly chose to boycott attendance of the tribunal hearing of 11th May, 2012, when the nine witnesses from constituencies gave their evidence,” the  tribunal said. The DC last week vowed not to attend the IEC tribunal as long as it was chaired by Sakoane. The DC secretary general, Ralechate ’Mokose, said the party would not attend any hearing presided by Sakoane even if it means losing the case. ’Mokose said he would not be bothered if Sakoane ruled in favour of the DC’s opponents because “attending hearings under his chairmanship is as good as not attending at all”.

The hearing then proceeded in the DC’s absence. The LCD claimed the seizing of its property by the DC had seriously affected its election campaign programme. The LCD said it had not been able to train its party agents. The party also claimed that the absence of party flags for constituency and branch structures had negatively impacted on rally attendances because a flag is the signal that
sends accurate message to supporters about where the party was holding its meetings. The LCD said the holding of cash and bank books meant that the party was unable to send its officials on
campaigning missions. “It also means that the offices are unable to buy essentials such as batteries for loud hailers and other equipment,” the LCD said.

“We wrote the IEC commissioner complaining about this chairman and we are still awaiting the commissioner’s response.” ’Mokose said the DC was peeved by the judgment because it was never served on them at the party’s offices but was aired in the media. “We only heard it through the media and when journalists asked us to comment on it,” ‘’Mokose said. He said the judgment had far-reaching implications to the DC because chiefs in some villages had already started barring the party’s supporters from holding rallies following the tribunal’s ruling.

“We are having problems in the villages because chiefs who listened to the radio and watched the television are now preventing our people from campaigning on grounds that it is in defiance of the IEC tribunal’s judgment,” he said. “No, we will not allow that. Our people will continue to campaign because we are objecting to the tribunal’s judgment.” Asked why he did not appeal against the judgment, he said the party was waiting for a written judgment so that they could study it and make an informed decision. He said on Sunday, the DC will hold a campaign rally at Ha-Foso in Berea.  The judgment, delivered by Sakoane and tribunal member Peete Lerotholi, came after the LCD complained that the DC was impeding its electoral campaign.

OU know the election mood has reached fever pitch when politicians start distancing themselves from correct but unpopular decisions of the past. Last week Finance Minister Timothy Thahane was at pains to parry allegations that he instigated the closure of that Ponzi scheme called MKM. This was after Thuso Litjobo, that Democratic Congress (DC) zealot, told a local radio station that
MKM was Thahane’s baby to keep. The garrulous Litjobo’s curve ball had caught Thahane off guard. In the end it was sad to watch a Doctor who has been a deputy central bank governor of South Africa and once ran a department at the World Bank trying to duck responsibility for what was otherwise a splendid decision. If there is anything Thahane should never be apologetic about it is the decision to stop the MKM’s thieving scheme in its tracks. He has made some not-so-smart decisions but killing the MKM is not one of them.

Rakuoane said the Constitution of Lesotho provides for the formation of a coalition government in the event of a hung parliament. But Rakuoane said the PFD would only become part of such a government when it is clean. He said a PFD government would ensure that all MPs in the coming parliament declare their assets with details of such a requirement being revealed “when the time comes”. Rakuoane said his party will push to ensure all public funds are used for the benefit of the people. He said his government will co-operate with farmers and the disabled to advance the economic development of the country. Funds from the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority and other natural resources including diamonds would be used to improve the lives of all Basotho, Rakuoane said. Rakuoane took a swipe at his detractors whom he said were claiming that the PFD was selling out when it openly canvassed for the opening of borders between Lesotho and South Africa.

“But the very same parties have today followed suit in calling for the opening up of the borders,” he said.  The PFD leader said Basotho could no longer afford to be marginalised in their own country. He said a PFD government will ensure food security for all Basotho. “We will strive at ensuring that Basotho produce food and participate in the economic development of their country in areas such as mining,” Rakuoane said. The PFD would decentralise government operations to discuss such issues as farming, fighting crime and budget estimates for all sectors. Speaking at the same rally, a senior PFD leader, Thabang Kholumo, said the huge attendance at the rally showed the party was ready to govern. “The huge attendance is an indication that we aim to be government on May 26,” Kholumo said.

He added that the PFD was the only party that will enable Basotho to halt the widening gap between the rich and the poor in Lesotho. The party’s candidate in Tsikoane constituency, Ralepesho Makhatha, urged people to vote for the party. Makhatha bemoaned that the constituency is one of the poorest in the country despite the fact that it was adjacent to the towns of Hlotse and  Maputsoe.

“I have come to plead with you to elect me because Tsikoane is by nature a fertile and productive land, and if you help me, I will ensure that development comes here,” Makhatha told the party supporters. He said successive governments that had ruled Lesotho since the re-introduction of democracy in 1993 had failed to deliver on their promises and keep splitting hence they should not be voted into power. Nehawu chairman, Bereng Seoke, urged PFD members to elect a party that would work to protect their interests. Seoke told the supporters that they were not designed to be poor by nature, but were poor because of bad governance. Charles Stofile, from the central committee of the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Free State, said his party worked with the Communist Party of Lesotho. “Vote for the PFD as it will set you free from poverty,” he said.

The prosecutor told the court that the investigating officer in the case had told her that the exhibit, a brown Okapi knife, could not be found. “With my experience in this court the keeping of exhibits leaves much to be desired,” Justice Peete said, adding that this could result in the miscarriage of justice.  “I think I will talk to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and remind them that the police have a duty to keep exhibits,” he said. The judge said he knew of cases where guns had gone missing at police stations. Crown witness, Itumeleng Motumi, told the court that on November 15, 2004 he found Buta Motumi lying in a pool of blood in his yard.  He said he had nine stab wounds — four on the neck and five on the body.  Itumeleng said there was a long-standing feud between the accused and his father over fields and a homestead. Itumeleng said he was going to buy fodder for his pigs when one Taole called him to come and see what Tsietsi Motumi had done to his father.

According to Itumeleng, Tsietsi was standing at the road and preventing people from getting to where Buta Motumi’s body lay. He was still holding his brown Okapi knife, he added. Itumeleng told the court that when he tried to get closer Tsietsi started chasing him. “While he was chasing me, I threw stones at him and he turned back. He told me that he would fetch people from Ha ’Masana village to come and kill my family,” he added. Itumeleng said although he had not seen Tsietsi stab his father he knew that there was “bad blood” between the two. The case continues tomorrow.

He said there were some political leaders who were still in denial that the LCD will reclaim the levers of power on May 26. Although Metsing did not categorically mention Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili’s Democratic Congress (DC) it was clear his old comrades were the target of his barbs. Mosisili quit the LCD in February and formed the DC ending a two-year internal power struggle that had almost paralysed the former ruling party. Metsing told his supporters to descend on Maseru for the party’s final election campaign rally on Sunday to show those in denial that “we’re government after May 26”. “We should go to Maseru in our numbers to show them that we’re winning. This will help make them aware that we are the new government,” Metsing said. “When they see us in our numbers, they will accept their fate and resign themselves to losing.
That will give them a week to make peace with their fate.”  “They need to have at least a week to prepare themselves so as to avoid strokes, heart attacks and deaths borne of the shock of losing,” a defiant Metsing said.  Metsing, who has been an MP for Mahobong constituency since 2002, was axed as communications minister in February. He also served as assistant trade and labour minister before being appointed communications minister in 2007. Metsing arrived at the venue in Hlotse in style, driven in a black Mercedes Benz G3 ML 63, with bodyguards walking on either side of the vehicle.

Present at the rally were Deputy Prime Minister Lesao Lehohla, Finance Minister Timothy Thahane, Trade Minister Leketekete Ketso, Foreign Affairs Minister Mohlabi Tsekoa as well as National Assembly deputy speaker Sephiri Motanyane. Although the five once formed part of Mosisili’s inner clique, they decided to remain in the LCD when he defected to form the DC. The LCD executive committee was represented by deputy chairman Sethunya Koqo, who was also the MC for the day, secretary general Keketso Rants’o, treasurer Lebohang Nts’inyi and the LCD elders’ committee chairman Mpho Malie. A visibly excited Metsing told the supporters that the Biblical proverb that ‘a prophet is not praised in his hometown’ did not apply to him because “you have come in numbers never seen before”. “You have not let me down. Your presence here is a clear indication that the LCD will be government after May 26. You have bestowed upon me immense respect,” Metsing
said. He added that as a mere mortal, he prayed that God would use him to show his unwavering grace to the Basotho nation.

“I hope that through me God will heal Lesotho and that in my time there will be plenty of jobs and that poverty will be eradicated,” Metsing said. “I hope that in my time I will be able to bring happiness in place of Basotho’s sorrows and be the harbinger of good tidings to those in misery.” He added that unlike the DC government which was trying to deny some of its mistakes that were committed when the LCD was still in power his government will not be embarrassed to account for its mistakes. “Unlike the DC government which is today shifting the blame to the LCD by refusing to own up for its shortcomings, mine will not,” Metsing said. The current government was a  reflection of a leadership that looks down on and disregards the will of the people. The LCD leader said he was thankful to God that veterans like Thahane, Ketso and Tsekoa had remained with the party. It was appalling for Mosisili’s government to disown “failures” committed by the finance minister instead of
taking responsibility for him, Metsing said.

The DC’s youth league leader, Thuso Litjobo recently accused Thahane of “wrecking MKM” which was helpful to Basotho. Thahane has however defended himself saying the decision to shut down MKM in November 2007 “came from the top”. Last week he said Mosisili had instructed him to investigate MKM when it was clear the company was running illegal businesses. Metsing appealed to the country’s armed forces to resist orders to harass protesting members of the public as it was their democratic right. He advised the police and military to follow in the footsteps of the Tunisian forces during the 2011 uprisings, who refused to shoot at protesters thus defying orders from the government. “They told their government that they would not shoot at protesters because they had done nothing wrong. Ours on May 26 is to win elections, not to fight with the military and police,” Metsing said.

Two men aged 19 and 20 were arrested at the scene, police said on Monday. Meanwhile, the Lesotho News Agency reports that a Semphetenyane Primary School teacher, Tšolo Konyana, was sentenced to a suspended five years in prison with an option of a M5 000 fine for defrauding Metropolitan Lesotho of M15 000. Konyana, 42, was charged with fraud on April 10 after he misrepresented to Metropolitan Lesotho that his wife, ‘Makou Konyane, had died and was therefore entitled to claim her pension. Evidence presented in court showed that Konyana produced false documents and as a result a cheque for  M15 000 was issued to him by the insurance company. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty as charged. In mitigation, Konyana said he committed the fraud because he was having financial problems. He told the court that he had borrowed money from money lenders and was now under pressure to return it. He also claimed he wanted to use the money to take his blind brother to hospital. The sentence was suspended for 24 months on condition that he pays back M15 000 to Metropolitan Lesotho beginning end of July.

Hoohlo said his party is confident of winning the May 26 general election. Present also were Basotho National Party (BNP) spokesman Tšepo Monethi, PARIL executive director Lehlohonolo Chefa, BNP youth leader Tšeliso Lesenya and representatives of civil organisations. Hoohlo said it was imperative to revisit agreements made by government and investors on the mining of other natural resources such as sandstone, which was being mined in large quantities by Chinese-owned companies, particularly in Lekokoaneng, Berea. “People working for sandstone mining companies earn peanuts and if voted into power the ABC will ensure that Lesotho’s natural resources benefit all Basotho,” he said. Lesotho should also develop the diamond mining industry by establishing processing academies for polishing and sale of the mineral. “The current status is that we mine diamonds only for them to be processed internationally. We should emulate countries like Botswana which has a thriving diamond industry,” Hoohlo said. The ABC would launch an investigation into how best some of Lesotho’s less known mineral deposits could be exploited for their commercial viability. He added that as part of Lesotho’s natural resources, agricultural soil should be utilised to its full potential in order to produce food for Basotho by reviving irrigation schemes. “There should also be support structures for farmers and agriculture extension officers should leave their cushy offices in Maseru and go into the field.” Agriculture should be infused into the country’s educational curriculum to provide students
with skills at an early age.  “That will enable them to make informed choices and know what they are getting into when they choose to study agriculture at tertiary level,” Hoohlo said. “Tertiary
institutions should also be replaced with those that are more advanced than what we have now,” he added. Monethi said it was imperative that people in regions where natural resources are mined
benefited from the proceeds through job creation, construction of roads as well as health facilities. The outspoken former BNP youth leader, said it was a disgrace that Mokhotlong, the district in which Letšeng Diamond Mine is based, has remained underdeveloped. “It’s said that there’s a thriving mine in Mokhotlong yet it’s the least developed district. The area produces diamonds as big as my head but development there is non-existent,” Monethi said. Things were as they were because the current government did not account for how it spent public funds. “People are kept in the dark deliberately because the authorities choose not to account for their actions and how natural resources are utilised.” The two parties promised to change people’s lives if either one of them became government after the May 26 election.

The UBLS Alumni Association founded in 2007, will host its second breakfast meeting in Gaborone where graduates of the UBLS, most of whom now hold influential positions in government and the private sector will be addressed by the chairman. Today’s breakfast will be held at the Blue Tree restaurant in Maruapula. According to one of the Alumni Festinah Bakwena, who is now the Botswana Ombudsman, they are in the process of registering the Botswana chapter of the UBLS Alumni Association. “The main aim is to begin to give back to the countries that supported UBLS. Most of us have now grown up to be successful adults, and we want to plough back to our communities by coming up with programmes geared at developing our human resource at grassroots level,” she said yesterday. — Mmegi