By Motšelisi Sekonyela
The government is facing a court battle from a handful of civil groupings challenging the recently imposed mandatory Covid-19 vaccination.
The applicants are Christian Advocates and Ambassadors Association of Lesotho, Justice and Democratic Ambassadors Association, Sejela ‘Mekeleli, Koantlane Molefi, Teele Nts’onyane and the Lesotho Public Service Staff Association.
The respondents are the Prime Minister, National Covid-19 Secretariat and the minister of health.
The application seeks an order that the implementation of Public Health (COVID-19) Risk Determination and Mitigation Measures (Amendment) (No.4) Regulations, 2021 be put to a halt.
According to the revulations, “a person identified under a category of persons who are required to be vaccinated by a health vaccinator, nurse or medical practitioner, shall not engage in work, perform duties, provide or acquire services at any institution, or place of work, study or business unless a person has received at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.”
The application requires that respondents be directed to provide admissible, verified and competent expert medical evidence to prove the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the necessity to vaccinate and the effectiveness of the mandatory vaccine.
The application also requires that the amendment be declared invalid for forcing applicants to vaccinate and denying them right of access to shops and public and private essential services that include health care as these are fundamental rights to life.
The amendment should also be declared unconstitutional
