I'm still committed to ABC,says Rapapa

(MENAFN- The Post)

MASERU – SAM Rapapa has been kicked out of the All Basotho convention (ABC) national executive committee for taking sides with Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro. Rapapa is one of the ABC ministers who openly refused to cross the floor to pull the party of the coalition government with the sole purpose of toppling Majoro. Shortly after that, a rally addressed by party leader Nkaku Kabi in Hololo nearly descended into chaos. Some ABC supporters aligned to Kabi almost assaulted Rapapa accusing him of seeking to destabilise the party. Following Rapapa's suspension from the executive committee over the weekend, thepost's senior reporter Majara Molupe interviewed him to get his reaction. Below are excerpts from the interview.

How did you feel after the ban to run the conferences?
There is nothing bad. I am still okay. I would not be threatened by the people who have been directed by some committee's members to make noise to me. This has not dampened my spirit. I last ran the conference in Hololo constituency a fortnight ago. I did not chair the conference on Sunday in Malimong constituency. I do not have a problem with that. The committee has been given such power.
There is a rumour that you are not supporting the party's initiative to withdraw from the government, how far is this true?

There is absolutely no truth in this. Is it only me who refused to support those who wanted the party to withdraw from the government? Why am I being targeted alone? We were over 21 MPs who did not agree to withdraw the party from the government. We could not follow 13 people. We work with numbers. If the majority could say we should withdraw, I would do so without any hurdles. In 2020, the majority of ABC MPs refused when I wanted to be the prime minister. They wanted Dr Moeketsi Majoro instead. Does it make sense to follow 13 people to withdraw the party from the government?
Are you still comfortable in the ABC?

I am still happy. I am so much comfortable. I cannot go away. I am protecting my party. I want it to grow from one level to the next. If my uncle died, could I say I no longer am a member of the Rapapa family? In 2006, the ABC was formed. Then later some MPs like Lehlohonolo Tšehlana, Mophato Monyake, Tlali Khasu and Professor Nqosa Mahao left. They did not make it in politics following their departure from the party.

Are you still going to contest the election in your constituency under the ABC banner?
Most definitely. As long as I am alive I will stand for the election. I started contesting for the election in 2015 when the ABC got a few votes. Now the ABC is performing well. There is no need to chicken out at this stage. There is no person who can come from his constituency to tell me I should not stand for the election here in my constituency. ABC is an eagle, it flies high.

There is tremor in politics after Sam Matekane formed his party. Are you not shaking too?
I highly welcome Sam Matekane in the political arena in the country. In 1998 when I contested for the elections, I approached Auditor General Motsobane Putsoa, Lebuoajoang Thebe-ea-Khale who once saw better days in business and Professor Nqosa Mahao. I also spoke to Matekane himself asking them to throw their hats into the ring.

I wanted them to stop being spectators who watched politics from the terraces but to navigate the terrain. Then later in 2017, Thebe-ea-Khale came to the show under the ABC in Hloahloeng constituency but lost the election. Professor Mahao was with the Popular Front for Democracy (PFD) at the time. Look at him now after he left the ABC with some MPs. He is scrambling on the political journey. The presence of Matekane has enlivened the politics of Lesotho.

His presence would impact seriously on the development of politics. Matekane is bringing a new style in the political terrain. The pastors should also form their own party. The professionals should too form their own political party. The entrepreneurs should come into politics to dilute the political landscape of Lesotho. I am not afraid of the presence of Matekane in active politics. I do not like this mentality of other politicians who do not welcome Matekane on the show.

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