It has emerged that the army, notorious for its overzealousness and excesses, has flatly refused to compensate victims of past violations that included murder of hapless citizens.
In one instance, the army has claimed that paying damages to a decreased victim’s family would amount to admission of guilt since the courts were already treating the matter as a criminal trial.
Now, this is tantamount to showing a middle finger to the land’s democratic institutions.
The Ombudsman’s office has over the years issued numerous recommendations to address human rights violations by security agencies, but authorities failed to act on them, raising serious concerns about lack of accountability.
Governance analysists say it is through political commitment or desire that this could be rectified. Parliamentarians are politicians, and public institutions such as the office of the Ombudsman implement policies made by the same politicians. There is no way we can separate politicians and public institutions like the Ombudsman’s office; they complement each other. It would not be appropriate to have established this institution if it does not serve its purpose.
Political will is very important. Parliament should enact laws bestowing the Ombudsman with more powers. Failure to do so will mean the office is not being responsive to Basotho’s needs and as a result, the public will lose their trust in it.
The question is, where does the military draw the audacity to disrespect Basotho’s institutions? Bearing in mind that a certain renegade general became (in)famous for defying orders of the High Court of Lesotho.
The answer is simply, from the barrel of the gun. Basotho deserve an army that respects the rule of law, not one that is so intoxicated from snorting gunpowder that it forgets that it is sustained by the people’s taxes. In the ensuing delirium tremens that is characterised by hallucinations, such an army throws its body around and intimidates civilians
