By ‘Majirata Latela
A protest by Basotho youth demanding a reversal of allocation of a M5 000 fuel benefit for members of parliament went on yesterday.
The march was intended to seek response from the lower house to reverse the legislatures’ adoption of the members increased benefits.
The parliament benefits law was amended in 2020 to grant the legislators an additional M5 000 gain that has not gone well with the youth.
The tax free benefit, adopted in 2020, was an amendment to the regulations regarding the benefits of the members.
The disgruntled youth were highly disturbed by failure of the legislature to revoke the amendment after they bitterly complained about the decision.
They have called for an establishment of an independent commission to look into the remuneration of public office bearers and their benefits including their allowances.
The youth argued that the rampaging Covi-19 had a very negative impact on the economic stand of the country saying they are the most hit.
“Self-employed artists, events managers, nightclub promoters and footballers, to mention but a few are youth groups that have been left broke and unable to buy food. Government has pledged hundreds of millions of maloti in economic stimulus to help ease the hardship. But in many places arguable reasons are being tabled for inability to dish out relief services,” the protesters said.
