The High Court of Lesotho has ordered a weekly newspaper, The Voice of Democrats, from covering the affairs of the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), writes Mzimkhulu Sithetho.
The newspaper is rumoured to be owned by members of a party faction supporting the Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, who is also LCD president. The LCD has been torn by factional conflict.
Suspended LCD Youth League public relations officer, Thuso Litjobo and an LCD MP, Lebohang Mochaba, had asked for the order pending another application by the duo for the owners of the publication to be revealed.
Talking to Lesotho Times, another weekly newspaper, one of the applicants, Mochaba said: “We suspect that the paper is owned by LCD members because it publishes confidential information about some members of the party.ÂÂÂ
“We have therefore approached the court to reveal who is behind the paper and if our suspicion is correct, we ask that the paper be shut down.â€ÂÂ
Conflicts in the party have pitted Mosisili against the minister of natural resources and energy Minister, Monyane Moleleki, who has begun campaigning to take over the position of party president.ÂÂÂ
