By ‘Majirata Latela
Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) investigations into circumstances surrounding Lesotho’s controversial solar power supply agreement with German company Frazer Solar GmBH, came to an abrupt halt following the Speaker’s letter directing suspension of the hearings.
Speaker Sephiri Motanyane indicated in the letter that he is not questioning the mandate of the PAC which is busy collecting information surrounding the alleged or purported signing of the agreement.
“While I do recognise the doctrine of separation of powers between different branches of government, I do feel obliged to take action in the circumstances under which we find ourselves to ask for your intervention, and my taking this course of action should not be understood or interpreted as enragement. It is not; I am also writing this letter cognisant of the fact that under parliamentary privileges, the house is entitled to any subject.
“As I have pointed out above, there is now a case in South Africa to which Lesotho is a party, over and above that preparations are underway to approach the High Court of Lesotho to have the above supply agreement revoked and set aside. The result is, this on-going investigation by the PAC will prove costly and prejudicial to our courts.
“The very same information collected by the PAC could be used against us by our opponents in court to gain advantage or have influence to our case. The committee may not even be able to get all the information they may need because some witnesses may be reluctant to discuss any information while there is a case in court,” reads the letter.
He showed that he is not even saying the PAC is not doing well in investigating the matter; however he said it is the timing that he has an issue with.
