A civic organization advocating for the respect of the constitution, rule of law, and civil rights of citizens known as SECTION 2 vehemently criticized the right Honourable, Prime Minister Sam Matekane over his controversial statements on the right to food.
SECTION 2 states that this assertios made by Matekane are a denotative that his current government contradicts fundamental principles of human dignity and welfare.
This was in response of Matekane’s statements while answering a High Court affidavit earlier in March this year. It is alleged that Prime Minister Matekane said there is no right to food and the government has no duty whatsoever to provide for its people.
This, Matekane said while responding to a court challenge filed by the Christian Advocates and Ambassador Association, which aims to push the government to implement food subsidies which are necessitated by the recent shoot in maize meal products.
In a statement published on Monday this week, SECTION 2 believes that it is regrettable that in the face of rising food prices and widespread economic hardship, the government ‘s response has been dismissive rather than emphatic. The suggestion that food security is not a critical component of public welfare overlooks the daily struggles of hundreds of thousands of Basotho who are currently unable to afford basic nutrition.
“Prime Minister Matekane’s remarks, as reported, undermine the urgency of addressing the escalating food crisis in our nation. The denial of the linkage between food security and the right to life is not legally flawed but morally indefensible. We reject the notion that the government’s obligation to its citizens can be contingent on economic capacity alone, especially when lives are at stake , “ the statement said.
Speaking exclusively with the Weekly Observer on Tuesday, Secretary General of SECTION 2 , Tjapatja Sekabi reiterated their stance against Matekane’s statements. He said his organization (SECTION2) Immediately penned a letter urging the Prime Minister to intervene and to come up with food subsidy for the nation.
He said this sobering request was propelled after the vulnerability assessment report by Lesotho’s development partners had announced that a total of 600,000 people are facing direct and immediate starvation, as well as the then projected low yield due to El Nino effects.
He noted that, there have not been any positive changes with regards to food availability while there is high concern that the situation will worsen.
“It would be of paramount importance if the PM and his administration could desist from politicking with livelihoods of Basotho, and not engage in the exercise of legally denying their responsibility to uplift the lives of the poor and vulnerable Basotho facing acute hunger and starvation. The government would have done a lot of good if it could accept responsibility and implement food subsidy for the nation, with clear and transparent mode of operation to offset risk of corruption and looting.” Sekabi said. “The government has a political and social contract with the nation , and should adhere and provide relief.”
While contacted by this publication to vindicate Matekane if he was misinterpreted, Press attaché in the Prime Minister’s office, Thapelo Mabote cited that he was confined as far as the statement, stating that only the court can give a clear interpretation of what he meant (Matekane).
“This is a court issue, and so I cannot clear say what he meant because he was ansering an affidavit. Maybe the affidavit required him to give that response, well I don’t know, but only the court can give a clear meaning of what he meant.” Mabote said.
