ABC special conference on course

STAFF REPORTER

MASERU – The infighting splitting the ABC is not showing signs of abating after a faction of the party today announced plans to press on with a special conference on Saturday to discuss problems in the ruling party. New National Executive Committee (NEC) Secretary General (SG), Lebohang Hlaele today told reporters the conference will go on as planned to iron out internal party differences.

The conference will also discuss leader Tom Thabane’s suspension which the leader has derisively dismissed. Hlaele said out of 80, 60 constituencies are expected to send delegates to the watershed conference. The faction of the NEC which backs embattled deputy leader-elect Nqosa Mahao last week suspended Thabane and a section of the NEC that supports him.

In what appears to be a tit-for-tat scenario, Thabane a fortnight ago expelled the Mahao group despite a court order declaring them the legitimate NEC. Thabane accused the Mahao faction of holding rallies parallel to his in breach of his order that they desist from doing so.

Those suspended included Professor Mahao, Hlaele who is Secretary General (SG), Montoeli Masoetsa, Public Relations Officer, Samuel Rapapa and Matebatso Doti, vice Public Relations Officer (PRO). Rapapa was tipped to take over from Thabane as interim premier if a no-confidence motion against the latter had succeeded in parliament.

Last week, the five spurned Thabane’s Olive branch extended through former SG Samonyane Ntsekele. Thabane had wanted to meet the Mahao faction on Wednesday. Masoetsa cited one of the reasons for their reaction to the fact that there was still their expulsion case to be heard in the High Court adding they did not know the capacity in which they would be attending the meeting. He however noted that Ntsekele said Thabane had said they could ignore the expulsions.

(LENA)