Former Deputy Chief Justice Judge Dikgang Moseneke says he is optimistic that appropriate solutions would be found for the political and security challenges currently facing the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Justice Moseneke was recently appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa as the leader of the Lesotho mediation facilitation team, following a recommendation by the South African Development Community (SADC) Double Troika that he appoint high level personalities to support him.
The SADC Double Troika held on 24 April 2018 in Luanda, Angola, agreed that President Ramaphosa should continue to facilitate the political national dialogue and reform processes in Lesotho since the President was appointed by the SADC Heads of State and Government as a SADC facilitator, following the country’s security and political challenges in September 2014.
The mediation team consists of three Deputy Ministers, Mohamed Enver Surty of Basic Education, Makgabo Regina Mhaule of International Relations and Cooperation and Ellen Molekane of State Security.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a meeting with the Lesotho mediation facilitation team, held at Mahlamba Ndlopfu Residence in Tshwane on Friday, Moseneke said he was humbled by the appointment, and emphasised the need to find peace and stability in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
“I think we should continue to try and find appropriate solutions. I’m making no promises at this stage, but we have to find peace and stability, proper governance and hopefully Constitutional changes that Basotho themselves will want to see happening,” Moseneke said.
He said that since the appointment, the team has come up with quite active plans to provide support, and the leadership of Lesotho is very welcoming of his appointment.
As part of his first assignment, Moseneke said he would next Friday pay a courtesy call to the Lesotho King, including Prime Minister of Lesotho, Cabinet, security structure, as well as various structures of SADC which are already deployed in the country, including a small military force.
“I’m going out to try and find peace in the Kingdom, to try and facilitate Constitutional amendments and to return to normality at the behest and request of SADC. Our President being the one who plays the role, I’m acting in his place instead, to try and achieve those outcomes in relation to the Kingdom of Lesotho,” Moseneke said.
He also emphasised that the members of the facilitation team are only facilitators and nothing more.
“We are not replacing any of the authority of the people of Lesotho, we are going to try and help. SADC Heads of State believe I can make a difference,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
