Khoachele and Others v Attorney General and Another (CIV/APN 237 of 96) [1996] LSHC 106 (25 October 1996)

IN T HE H I GH C O U RT OF L E S O T HO CIV/APN/237/96 In t he m a t t er b e t w e en G E R A RD K H O A C H E LE M A N Y A T HE N D A BA T H A BO ' M O TE T S E KO L E K O E N E HA and 1 ST P E T I T I O N ER 2 ND P E T I T I O N ER 3 RD P E T I T I O N ER 4 TH P E T I T I O N ER T HE A T T O R N EY G E N E R AL M O T L A T SI K E L LY M A H A SE 1 ST R E S P O N D E NT 2 ND R E S P O N D E NT J U D G M E NT D e l i v e r ed by t he H o n o u r a b le M r. J u s t i ce M . M. R a m o d i b e d i, A c t i ng J u d g e, on 2 5 th d ay of O c t o b e r, 1 9 9 6. T h is a p p l i c a t i on is a s e q u el to M a s e ru M u n i c i p al e l e c t i o ns h e ld at T h a m ae W a rd 7 on t he 8 th J u ne 1 9 9 6. T he p e t i t i o n e rs and S e c o nd R e s p o n d e nt f e a t u r ed as c a n d i d a t es at t he s a id e l e c t i on w h i ch w as w on by t he l a t t e r. T h en on 2 6 th J u ne 1 9 96 t he p e t i t i o n e rs f i l ed w i th t he R e g i s t r ar of C o u rt " N o t i ce of M o t i o n" in w h i ch t h ey p r a y ed f or an o r d er in t he f o l l o w i ng t e r m s :- " 1. ( a) D e c l a r i ng t h at t he r e t u rn of t he S e c o nd R e s p o n d e nt w as u n d ue a nd ( b) D e c l a r i ng t he p e t i t i o n e rs to h a ve b e en v a l i d ly e l e c t e d. ( c) F u r t h er a n d / or a l t e r n a t i ve r e l i e f. 2 / . .. ( d) C o s t s ." I m m e d i a t e ly t h e r e a f t er t he f o l l o w i ng w o r ds a p p e ar in t he s a id N o t i ce of M o t i on " A nd t h at t he a c c o m p a n y i ng p e t i t i o ns of G e r a rd K h o a c h e l e, M o n y a ne N d a b a, T h a bo M o te a nd T s e ko L e k o e n e ha a nd a n n e x- t u r es t h e r e to w i ll be u s ed in s u p p o rt t h e r e o f ." T h e se l a st t wo w o r ds h a ve l e ft me in no d o u bt t h at w h at t he p e t i t i o n e rs h a ve s o u g ht to p r e s e nt to t h is c o u rt is a N o t i ce of M o t i on a nd n ot a p e t i t i on as s u c h. I am f o r t i f i ed in t h is v i ew by t he f a ct t h at a ll t he f o ur p e t i t i o ns in t h is m a t t er w e re o b v i o u s ly o n ly f i l ed on t he f o l l o w i ng d ay t he 2 7 th J u ne 1 9 96 j u d g i ng by t he d a te s t a mp of t h is c o u rt on e a ch of t h o se p e t i t i o n s. N ow it is c l e ar b e y o nd q u e s t i on in my j u d g m e nt t h at t he M u n i- c i p al a nd U r b an C o u n c i ls E l e c t i o ns R e g u l a t i o ns 1 9 87 h a ve p r e s c r i b ed t h at M u n i c i p al e l e c t i on a p p l i c a t i o ns m u st be m a de by w ay of p e t i- t i on as o p p o s ed to a N o t i ce of M o t i o n. T he f o l l o w i ng s e c t i o ns in t h o se r e g u l a t i o ns s h o u ld s e r ve as a g u i de in t he m a t t e r: S e c t i on 69 ( 1) t h e r e of p r o v i d es as f o l l o w s :- " An e l e c t i on p e t i t i on s h a ll be h e a rd by a j u d g e ." S e c t i on 70 is to t he f o l l o w i ng e f f e c t :- " 7 0 . An e l e c t i on p e t i t i on m ay be p r e s e n t ed to t he H i gh C o u rt by o ne or m o re of t he f o l l o w i ng p e r s o n s: ( a) s o me p e r s on w ho v o t ed or h ad a r i g ht to v o te at t he e l e c t i on to w h i ch t he p e t i t i on r e l a t e s; 3 / . .. - 3- ( b) ( c) s o me p e r s on c l a i m i ng to h a ve a r i g ht to be r e t u r n ed or e l e c t ed at s u ch e l e c t i o n; s o me p e r s on a l l e g i ng h i m s e lf to h a ve b e en a c a n d i d a te at s u ch e l e c t i o n ." S e c t i on 71 a l so p r o v i d es :- " A ll or a ny of t he f o l l o w i ng r e l i e fs to w h i ch t he p e t i t i o n er m ay be e n t i t l e d, m ay be c l a i m ed in an e l e c t i on p e t i t i o n: ( a) ( b) a d e c l a r a t i on t h at t he e l e c t i on is v o i d; a d e c l a r a t i on t h at t he r e t u rn of t he p e r s on e l e c t ed w as u n d u e; ( c) a d e c l a r a t i on t h at a c a n d i d a te w as d u ly e l e c t ed a nd o u g ht to h a ve b e en r e t u r n e d; ( d) a s c r u t i ny if t he s e at is c l a i m ed f or an u n s u c c e s s f ul c a n d i d a te on t he g r o u nd t h at he h ad a m a j o r i ty of l a w f ul v o t e s ." I n d e ed w i t h o ut o v e r b u r d e n i ng t h is j u d g m e nt I o b s e r ve t h at e v en a ll t he s u b s e q u e nt s e c t i o ns f r om 72 to 78 i n c l u s i v e ly r e f er to " e l e c t i on p e t i t i o n" a nd n ot N o t i ce of M o t i o n. I c o me to t he c o n c l u s i on t h e r e f o re t h at t he N o t i ce of M o t i on f i l ed by t he p e t i t i o n e rs on 2 6 th J u ne 1 9 96 is i r r e g u l ar a nd c o n- t r a ry to t he l e t t er a nd s p i r it of t he M u n i c i p al a nd U r b an C o u n- c i ls E l e c t i o ns R e g u l a t i o ns 1 9 87 as a f o r e s a i d. N or d o es t h is c o u rt a p p r o ve of a h y b r id t y pe of a p p l i c a t i on s i m u l t a n e o u s ly e m b o d y i ng a N o t i ce of M o t i on as w e ll as a p e t i t i on at t he s a me t i me if t h at w as t he i n t e n t i on of t he p e t i t i o n e rs h e r e. In d e a l i ng w i th a s o m e w h at s i m i l ar s i t u a t i on K o t ze AJ in 4 / . .. - 4- H e p k er v N a t i o n al G e l a t i ne & G l ue ( S . A .) ( P t y) L t d. 1 9 63 ( 3) S . A. 5 91 ( W L D) h ad t h is to s ay " It s e e ms to me t h at in an a p p l i c a t i on of t h is n a t u re w h e re a p e t i t i on is p r e s c r i b ed by l a w, it n e ed n ot be a c c o m p a n i ed by t he p r e s c r i b ed n o t i ce of m o t i on b ut by a n o t i ce of s et d o w n ." W i th r e s p e ct I o b s e r ve t h at t he l e a r n ed J u d ge p u ts t he m a t t er r a t h er m i l d ly a nd t h at f or t h is c o u rt t he p o i nt n e e ds to be s t r a i g h t e n ed up by s t a t i ng t h at a p e t i t i on m u st n ot be a c c o m p a n i ed by a n o t i ce of m o t i on b ut by a n o t i ce of s et d o w n. T h at is t he p r a c t i ce as I h a ve a l w a ys c o n c e i v ed it to be in t h is c o u rt as f ar as p e t i t i o ns a re c o n- c e r n e d. R u le 8 ( 1) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es 1 9 80 s i g n i f i c a n t ly p r o v i d es as f o l l o w s :- " 8. (1) Save where proceedings by way of petition a re prescribed by any law, every application shall be brought by notice of motion supported by an affidavit setting out the facts upon which the applicant relies f or r e l i e f s ." In my v i ew t h is s e c t i on is a c l e ar i n d i c a t i on t h at a p e t i t i on is an e n t i r e ly d i f f e r e nt p r o c e d u re a l t o g e t h er f r om a N o t i ce of M o t i o n. It is i n e x c u s a b le to l u mp t he t wo t o g e t h er in o ne a nd t he s a me a p p l i c a t i o n. In f a ct I am of t he v i ew t h at it b o r d e rs on d i s r e s p e ct to t he c o u rt to h a ve to r e ad s u ch p a p e rs as a re p r e s e n t ed to me in t h is m a t t e r. N or do t he p e t i t i o n e r s' p r o b l e ms r e s u l t i ng f r om t he n a t u re of t he a p p l i c a t i on b e f o re me e nd t h e r e. E v en a s s u m i ng t h at I w e re to d i s r e g a rd t he a f o r e s a id N o t i ce of M o t i on b e f o re me a nd o n ly c o n s i d er t he p e t i t i o ns w h i ch w e re f i l ed on t he 2 7 th J u ne 1 9 9 6, t he b i g g e st p r o b l em f or t he p e t i t i o n e rs is t h at t h e re a re a b s o l u t e ly no p r a y e rs e m b o d i ed in e a ch of t h o se " p e t i t i o n s" s a ve f or a r e f e r e n ce to t he p r a y e rs in t he n o t i ce of m o t i on i t s e l f. c l u de w i th t he f o l l o w i ng w o r d s :- E a ch of t he f o ur " p e t i t i o n s" c o n- 5 / . .. - 5- "Wherefore your petitioner prays that it may please the above Honourable Court to grant an order as prayed for in the notice of which this petition is attached." This is yet another indication that this court is expected to consider both the Notice of Motion and the petition at the same time; the latter being only in support of the former. The other problem with the petitions before me is that there is absolutely no reference to the Respondents in the petitions save in the heading to the 1st Petitioner's petition. There is no description of the Respondents and in what capacity they are being sued, nor are there any averments to show that the Respondents have locus standi in judicio to be sued. I can only conclude regrettably that this application was slackly presented and that this is a factor to which this court must inevitably have regard when exercising its discretin whether to grant the declaratory order sought. At the hearing of the matter before me on 11th October, 1996 Mr. Phoofolo for the petitioners submitted that there were disputed facts in the matter. He identified two points of disputes as follows:- 1. That Second Respondent "was seen or heard" campaigning through a loud speaker on the polling day. 2. That Second Respondent distributed campaign pamphlets on polling day. In the circumstances Mr. Phoofolo applied for viva voce evidence to be led on those issues. T he a p p l i c a t i on f or v i va v o ce e v i d e n ce w as s t r e n u o u s ly o p p o s ed by M r. M a k h e t he f or t he R e s p o n d e n ts on t he g r o u nd t h at t he a f o r e- s a id d i s p u te of f a c ts w as n ot m a t e r i al to t he c a se in as m u ch as t he p e t i t i o n e rs had n ot s h o wn in t h e ir p a p e rs t h at t he a l l e g ed u se of l o ud s p e a k er and p a m p h l e ts on p o l l i ng d ay a f f e c t ed the result of t he v o t e s. In t he j u d i c i al e x e r c i se of my d i s c r e t i on I d i s m i s s ed t he a p p l i c a t i on f or t he c a l l i ng of v i va v o ce e v i d e n ce on t he g r o u nd t h at t he d i s p u t ed f a c ts w e re n ot m a t e r i al r e g a rd b e i ng h ad to 6 / . .. - 6- t he n a t u re a nd c i r c u m s t a n c es of t he c a se b e f o re m e. I t o ok t he f o l l o w i ng f a c t o rs i n to c o n s i d e r a t i o n: ( a) T h at t he p e t i t i o n e rs m a de b a r e, u n s u b s t a n t i a t ed a l l e g a t i o ns t h at t he S e c o nd R e s p o n d e nt c a m p a i g n ed by u se of a l o ud s p e a k er a nd p a m p h l e ts on p o l l i ng d ay y et t h ey k n ew f u l ly w e ll at t he s t a ge w h en t h ey l a u n c h ed t he a p p l i c a t i on t h at t h is w as a h o t ly d i s p u t ed f a c t. T h ey h ad m a de s i m i l ar a l l e g a t i o ns in w r i t i ng on p o l l i ng d a y. T he s a id o b j e c t i on A n n e x t u re " K M 1" w as d e n i ed by t he S e c o nd R e s p o n d e n t. It is s i g n i f i c a nt t h at 1 st p e t i t i o n er h i m s e lf a d m i ts in p a r a g r a ph 7.2 of t h is " p e t i t i o n" t h at t he R e t u r n- i ng O f f i c er " r u l ed t h at S e c o nd R e s p o n d e nt t a ke an o a th w h i ch q u a l i f i ed h im to e n t er t he r a c e ." I f o u nd t h e r e f o re t h at it w as i n e x c u s a b le f or t he p e t i t i o n e rs w h om b o re t he o n us to h a ve f a i l ed to s u b s t a n t i a te t h e ir a l l e g a t i o ns w i th s u p p o r t i ng a f f i d a v i ts w h en t h ey l a u n c h ed t h is a p p l i c a t i o n. S u ch s u p p o r t i ng a f f i d a v i ts c o u ld e a s i ly h a ve c o me f r om t he v o t e rs t h e m s e l v es if t he v e r s i on of t he p e t i t i o n e rs is c o r r e c t. ( b) T h at t he p e t i t i o n e rs f a i l ed to a l l e ge or m a ke o ut a c a se t h at t he a l l e g ed c a m p a i g n i ng by S e c o nd R e s p o n d e nt d id a f f e ct t he r e s u lt of t he e l e c t i o n. In H a rt v P i n e t o wn D r i v e - in C i n e ma ( P t y) L t d. 1 9 72 ( 1) S . A. 4 64 at 4 69 M i l l er J h ad t h is to s a y :- "The petition t a k es t he p l a ce not only of the declaration but also of the e s s e n t i al e v i d e n ce which would be led at a trial and if t h e re are absent f r om the petition such facts as would be n e c e s s a ry f or d e t e r m i n a t i on of the issue in the petitioner's f a v o u r, an o b j e c t i on tha it does not support the relief claimed is sound." I r e s p e c t f u l ly a g r e e. 7 / . .. - 7- ( c) T h at as a g e n e r al r u le t he A p p l i c a nt m u st s t a nd or f a ll by h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it or p e t i t i o n. If he m e r e ly s e ts o ut a s k e l e t on c a se in h is a p p l i c a t i on he c a n n ot e x p e ct as of r i g ht t h at t he c o u rt w i ll c o me to h is a s s i s t a n ce a nd o r d er v i va v o ce e v i d e n ce to c l o se t he g a ps t h at he h as l e ft o u t. ( d) T h at as w i ll be s e en l a t er t h is w as a f it c a se w h e re a j u st d e c i s i on c o u ld be r e a c h ed on p a p er w i t h o ut h e a r i ng v i va v o ce e v i d e n c e. I t u rn t h en to d e al w i th t he m e r i ts of t he p e t i t i on b e f o re m e. It is s i g n i f i c a nt t h at t h is p e t i t i on is b a s ed e n t i r e ly on S e c t i on 62 ( 1) of t he M i n i c i p al a nd U r b an C o u n c i ls E l e c t i o ns R e g u l a t i o n s, 1 9 8 7. In t h is r e g a rd t he 1 st P e t i t i o n er s t a t es in p a r a g r a ph 8 of h is p e t i t i o n: "Your petitioners respectfully avers (sic) that the second respondent Contravened Section 62 (1) of the Municipal and Urban Councils Election Regulations 1987, by using on a motor car a loudspeaker on polling day; and by furnishing on a paper scattered in the street (annexture A) his colours on a polling day in o r d er to induce voters to e l e ct him. w as undue in as much as he should not have been competent to be elected as a member of the Council." In the circumstances second respondent's return I d e em it n e c e s s a ry at t h is s t a ge to r e f er to t he s a id s e c t i on 62 ( 1) w h i ch p r o v i d es as f o l l o w s :- " 6 2. (1) No person shall furnish or supply any loud speaker, bunting, ensign, b a n n e r, standard, or set of colours, or any other flag, to a person with intent that it be carried, worn or used on a motor car, truck or other vehicle as political propaganda on polling day and no person shall with any such intent carry, w e ar or use on a motor c a r, truck or other vehicle any such loud speaker, b u n t i n g, ensign, banner, standard or set of c o l o u r s, or any other flag, on polling day." 8 / . .. - 8- S u b - s e c t i on ( 3) t h e r e of p r o v i d es p u n i s h m e nt f or t he o f f e n ce in t he f o l l o w i ng t e r m s :- "(3) A person who contravenes any of the provisions of this regulation shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding four hundred Maloti or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year." It w i ll t h us be s e en t h at n o w h e re d o es t h is s e c t i on s t a te t h at an o f f e n ce t h e r e in s h a ll a l so be v i s i t ed w i th d i s q u a l i f i c a t i on of t he o f f e n d er f r om b e i ng e l e c t ed as a m e m b er of t he M u n i c i p al C o u n c i l. In c o n t r a st s ee S e c t i on 63 w h i ch r e a ds t h us :- " 6 3. (1) A person who is found guilty of an offence under sub-regulation (4) or regulation 7, sub-regulation ( 2 ), (3) and (4) of regulation 58 or sub-regulation (2) of regulation 5 9, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred M a l o t i. (2) A person who is convicted of an offence specified in this regulation shall be deemed to have been guilty of an illegal practice and shall become incompetent from the date of his conviction to be registered as a voter or to vote at an election under these Regulations or to be elected a member of a Council, and if at that date he has been elected a member of a Council his election shall be deemed void from the date of such conviction. Every practice which is an offence under any provision specified in this regulation shall be an illegal practice f or the purposes of these Regula- tions." T he m a r g i n al n o te to s e c t i on 63 s i g n i f i c a n t ly s t a t es : " P u n i s h m e nt on c o n v i c t i on f or i l l e g al p r a c t i c e" a nd i n d e ed I observe that all t he subsections r e f e r r ed to in s e c t in 63 r e l a te to i l l e g al p r a c t i c e s. As to w h at an i l l e g al p r a c t i ce e n t a i ls S e c t i on 2 of t he M u n i c i p al a nd U r b an C o u n c i ls E l e c t i o ns R e g u l a t i o ns 1 9 87 d e f i n es 9 / . .. - 9- t he w o rd " i l l e g al p r a c t i c e" as " a ny illegal p r a c t i ce s p e c i f i ed in s u b - r e g u l a t i on ( 2) of r e g u l a t i on 6 3 ." S e c t i on 2 of t he R e g u l a t i o ns d e f i ne t he w o r ds " c o r r u pt p r a c t i c e" to m e an " a ny c o r r u pt p r a c t i ce s p e c i f i ed in p a rt 4 of t h e se R e g u l a t i o n s ." T he s a id p a rt 4 d e a ls w i th s e c t i on 53 ( P e r s o n a t i o n ), S e c t i on 54 ( T r e a t i n g ), S e c t i on 55 ( U n d ue i n f l u e n c e) S e c t i on 56 ( B r i b e r y) and S e c t i on 57 ( P e n a l t y ). It is o b v i o us t h e r e f o re t h at S e c t i on 62 ( 1) on w h i ch t h is a p p l i c a t i on is b a s ed d o es n ot f e a t u re as e i t h er an i l l i g al p r a c t i ce or a c o r r u pt p r a c t i c e. I am of t he f i rm v i ew t h e r e f o re t h at it is n ot e v e ry o f f e n ce in t he M u n i c i p al and U r b an C o u n c i ls E l e c t i o ns R e g u l a t i o n s, 1 9 87 t h at d i s q u a l i f i es a p e r s on f r om b e i ng e l e c t ed as a m e m b er of C o u n c i l. It is o n ly t h o se s p e c i f i ed o f f e n c es r e l a t i ng to c o r r u pt and i l l i g al p r a c t i c es t h at l e ad to a d i s q u a l i f i c a t i on of s u ch a c a n d i d a t e. I n d e ed S e c t i on 66 of t he M u n i c i p al a nd U r b an C o u n c i ls E l e c t i o ns R e g u l a t i o ns 1 9 87 p r o v i d es f or " g r o u n ds f or a v o i d i ng E l e c t i o n s ." It r e a ds as f o l l o w s :- "The election of a candidate as a member of Council is avoided by his conviction for an offence deemed to be corrupt or illigal practice." T h e re is h o w e v er no c o n v i c t i on p r o v ed in t he c a se b e f o re m e. S e c t i on 67 of t he s a id R e g u l a t i o ns is e v en m o re to t he p o i n t. It r e a ds t h u s :- 1 0 / . .. - 1 0- " 6 7. The election of a candidate as a member of Council shall be declared void on an election petition on any of the following grounds which are proved to the satisfaction of the Judge, (a) (b) (c) (d) that by reason of general bribery, general treating or general intimidation, or other midconduct, or other circumstances, whether similar to those before enumerated or not, the majority of voters were or may have been prevented from electing the candidate whom they preferred; non-compliance with the provisions of these Regulations relating to elections, if it appears that the election was not conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in such provisions and that such non-compliance affected the result of the election; that a corrupt practice or illegal practice was committed in connection with the election by the candidate or with his knowledge or consent or by an agent of the candidate; that the candidate personally engaged a person as his election agent, or as a canvasser or agent knowing that such person had within seven years previous to such engagement been found guilty of an offence deemed to be a corrupt practice, by a Court or by the report of the Judge; (e) that the candidate was at the time of his election a person disqualified for election as a member of Council." S i g n i f i c a n t ly e v en S e c t i on 13 of t he U r b an G o v e r n m e nt A ct 1 9 83 w h i ch is t he p a r e nt A ct to t he R e g u l a t i o ns in q u e s t i on p r o v i d es as f o l l o w s :- "13 No election shall be invalid or set aside by reason merely of - (a) a defect in the appointment, or want of due appointment or title, of the returning officer or of any person assisting him at any election; or (b) a mistake or non-compliance with this Act, if it appears that the election was conducted substantially in accordance with the principles laid down herein 11/... - 1 1- and that the m i s t a ke or n o n - c o m p l i a n ce is not likely to h a ve a f f e c t ed t he r e s u lt of t he e l e c t i o n ." S e c t i on 50 ( 1) of t he R e g u l a t i o ns is in t he s a me v e in as it r e a ds t h u s :- "No election shall be invalid by reason of f a i l u re to c o m p ly with any provision of t h e se R e g u l a t i o ns relating to e l e c t i o ns if it appears t h at t he e l e c t i on w as c o n- d u c t ed in a c c o r d a n ce with t he p r i n c i p l es laid d o wn in such p r o v i s i on and that such f a i l u re did not a f f e ct t he r e s u lt of the e l e c t i o n ." F a c ed w i th t he r e a l i ty t h at t he p e t i t i o n e rs m i s c o n c e i v ed t h e ir c l a im by r e l y i ng on s e c t i on 62 ( 1) of t he s a id R e g u l a t i o ns M r. P h o o f o lo t h en b e l a t e d ly s o u g ht to r e ly on s e c t i on 67 (a) and (b) of t he R e g u l a t i o ns by a r g u i ng t h at t he u se of a l o ud s p e a k er a nd p a m p h l e ts on p o l l i ng d ay is " o t h er m i s c o n d u c t ," a nd t h at t h e re w as n o n - c o m p l i a n ce w i th t he p r o v i s i o ns of t h e se r e g u l a t i o n s. T he p r o b l em w i th t h is s u b m i s s i on is t h at t he p e t i t i o n e rs do n ot r e ly on S e c t i on 67 in t h e ir p e t i t i o n s. T h ey c l e a r ly l i m it t h e ir c a se to S e c t i on 62 ( 1 ). Be t h at as it m a y, h o w e v e r, I p r o c e ed to e x a m i ne t h e se s u b m i s s i o ns in d e t a i l. T h at t he u se of a l o ud s p e a k er a nd p a m p h l e ts on p o l l i ng d ay a m o u n ts to " o t h er m i s c o n d u c t ". In my v i ew t he w o r ds " o t h er m i s c o n d u c t" m u st n ot be r e ad in i s o l a t i on or o ut of c o n t e x t. T h ey m u st be r e ad in l i ne w i th t he w h o le s u b - r e g u l a t i on r e l a t i ng to " g e n e r al b r i b e r y, g e n e r al t r e a t i ng or g e n e r al i n t i m i d a t i o n ." T he w o r ds " o t h er m i s c o n d u c t" in t he s a id S e c t i on 67 c a me f or d e t e r m i n a t i on by C u l l i n an CJ in E l l i ot M o k h e t hi M a t l a k e ng v S o b h u za S o p e ng a nd 3 o t h e rs C I V / A P N / 8 9 / 89 ( u n r e p o r t e d) in w h i ch 1 2 / . .. - 1 2- t he l e a r n ed C h i ef J u s t i ce e x p r e s s ed t he f o l l o w i ng r e m a r k s: "It will be seen that regulation 6 7 ( a ), section 164 and section 17(2)(a) above all contemplate general corruption, or simply a corrupt or illegal practice. Section 17(2)(a) and indeed regulation 67(a) embrace not alone election offences, but "other misconduct". There is a whole body of authority in the Republic of Zambia on the meaning of that term, but suffice it to say that it was initially defined by the late Hughes J. (as he then w a s) in 1968 in Re Three Election Petitions 1968/HP/EP/15. 2 1, 22 (Un- reportedj as "wrong behavious," or "improper conduct". It will be seen however that regulation 67 (a) goes on to speak of "other circumstances", which seems to extend the provisions to other than misconduct." T he L e a r n ed C h i ef J u s t i ce a l so s t a t e d :- "All electoral legislation in Lesotho and elsewhere lays emphasis upon the freedom and fairness of elections. Regulation 67 indeed, in every paragraph thereof, envisages conduct contrary to such principles, I cannot imagine therefore that it was ever intended to extent regulation 67(a) to a situation where no mala fides or misconduct was involved or where the principles laid down in the Regulations had in fact been observed." W i th r e s p e ct I a g r ee e n t i r e l y. As e a r l i er s t a t ed I m ay a dd t h at t he m i s c o n d u ct e n v i s a g ed to d i s q u a l i fy a p e r s on f r om b e i ng e l e c t ed a m e m b er of C o u n c il is o ne t h at h as to do w i th c o r r u pt or illegal p r a c t i ce s u ch as b r i b e r y, g e n e r al t r e a t i ng or g e n e r al i n t i m i d a t i o n. T h at t h e re w as n o n - c o m p l i a n ce w i th t he p r o v i s i o ns of t he R e g u l a t i o n s. I h a ve a l r e a dy f o u nd t h at t he u se of a l o ud s p e a k er and p a m p h l e ts on p o l l i ng d ay is n ot s u ch an o f f e n ce as is e n v i s a g ed by s e c t i on 67 to h a ve t he e l e c t i on of a c a n d i d a te as a m e m b er of C o u n c il d e c l a r ed v o i d. In a ny e v e nt e v en if I m ay be w r o ng on t he v i ew t h at I t a ke of t he m a t t er it is c l e ar f r om s e c t i on 6 7 ( b) t h at in o r d er to 13/... - 1 3- s u c c e ed t he p e t i t i o n e rs m u st s h ow t h at " s u ch n o n - c o m p l i a n ce a f f e c t ed t he r e s u lt of t he e l e c t i o n ." T he o n us of p r o of is c l e a r ly u p on t h em on t he p r i n c i p le t h at he w ho a l l e g es m u st p r o v e. T h e re is h o w e v er a b s o l u t e ly no i o ta of e v i d e n ce in t he c a se b e f o re me t h at t he a l l e g ed n on c o m p l i a n ce w i th R e g u l a t i on 62 ( 1) a f f e c t ed t he r e s u lt of t he e l e c t i o n. I n d e ed in f a i r n e ss to M r. P h o o f o lo f or t he P e t i t i o n e rs he c o n c e d ed as m u ch a nd p r o p e r ly so in my v i e w. T h is in my j u d g m e nt is s u f f i c i e nt r e a s on to d i s m i ss t he p e t i t i o ns b e f o re m e. I n d e ed t h e re is a b s o l u t e ly no e v i d e n ce t h at t he a l l e g ed u se of a l o ud s p e a k er by S e c o nd R e s p o n d e nt w as h e a rd by a ny of t he v o t e rs n or is t h e re e v i d e n ce t h at t h ey s aw a ny p a m p h l e ts on p o l l i ng d a y. I h a ve e a r l i er in my j u d g m e nt o b s e r v ed t h at t he p e t i t i o n e rs h a ve m a de b a r e, u n s u b s t a n t i a t ed a l l e g a t i o ns t h at t he S e c o nd R e s- p o n d e nt c a m p a i g n ed t h r o u gh a l o ud s p e a k er a nd p a m p h l e ts on p o l l i ng d ay n o t w i t h s t a n d i ng t he f a ct t h at t h ey a l r e a dy k n ew of t he d i s p u te in t he m a t t er a nd t h at a r u l i ng h ad a l r a dy b e en m a de a g a i n st t h em by t he S u p e r v i s or of t he E l e c t i o ns o ne B e r e ng Q h o b e l a. T he l a t t er s i g n i f i c a n t ly s t a t es in p a rt in p a r a g r a ph 3 of h is s u p p o r t i ng a f f i d a v it to S e c o nd R e s p o n d e n t 's o p p o s i t i o n: "I heard both sides to the d i s p u t e. There was not really much to substantiate the petitioners' complaint. It was just a vague, general and inconsistent allegation that 2nd Respondent had been seen/heard shouting with a loud speaker that the voters should go for the red colour. 2nd Respondent denied these allegations." L a t er in t he s a me p a r a g r a ph t he d e p o n e nt B e r e ng Q h o b e la s t a t e s: I found the whole story of the petitioners h a zy and unconvincing. I did not there and then make a ruling, I decided to give the matter a further thought and consideration. Later in the follow- ing d a y s. I ultimately decided that the petitioners' claim was most frivolous and declared 2nd Respondent the winner." 1 4 / . .. - 1 4- I n d e ed I f i nd t h at B e r e ng Q h o b e la d o es n ot s t a nd a l o ne in h is s u p p o rt of t he 2 nd R e s p o n d e n t 's v e r s i o n. T he R e t u r n i ng O f f i c er L e fa L i p h o lo a l so s u p p o r t ed t he 2 nd R e s p o n d e nt a nd r u l ed t h at t he l a t t er t a ke t he o a th a nd p r o c e ed w i th t he v o t i n g. T h is is c o m m on c a u s e. In my j u d g m e nt t h is is a f it c a se w h e re t he R u le l a id d o wn in P l a s c o n - E v a ns P a i n ts v v an R i e b e e ck 1 9 84 ( 3) S . A. 6 23 at 6 34 m u st a p p ly n a m e ly t h at " t he c o u rt is e n t i t l ed to a s s u me t he c o r r e c t n e ss of t he v e r s i on of t he R e s p o n d e nt w h e re t h e re is c o n f l i ct of f a ct in m o t i on p r o c e e d i n gs d e s i g n ed to s e c u re f i n al r e l i e f" p er M a h o m ed P, in N a t i o n al U n i v e r s i ty of L e s o t ho S t u d e n ts U n i on v N a t i o n al U n i v e r s i ty of L e s o t ho a nd o t h e rs C of A ( C I V) N o . 10 of 1 9 90 ( u n r e p o r t e d) at p 1 9. I r e s p e c t f u l ly a g r e e. I d o n 't s ee t h at it m a k es a ny d i f f e r e n ce f or t he a p p l i c a t i on of t h is p r i n c i p le w h e t h er t he m a t t er c o n c e r n ed is a p e t i t i on or a N o t i ce of M o t i o n. In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es I a s s u me t he c o r r e c t n e ss of t he v e r s i on of t he 2 nd R e s p o n d e nt in t h is m a t t er a nd r e j e ct t he u n s u b s t a n t i a t ed o ne of t he p e t i t i o n e r s. I do so on a b a l a n ce of p r o b a b i l i t i es in t he m a t t er as I c o n s i d er t h at t h e re is o v e r w h e l m i ng e v i d e n ce to s u p p o rt t he c a se f or t he f o r m e r. In E l l i ot M o k h e t hi M a t l a k e ng v S o b h u za S o p e ng a nd 3 o t h e rs ( s u p r a ) C u l l i n an CJ r e m a r k ed as f o l l o ws on p 25 of h is j u d g m e n t :- "The whole basis for the a v o i d a n ce of an e l e c t i o n, by S t a t u te and at common law, is that the election w as not f r ee and f a i r ." W i th r e s p e ct I s h a re t he s a me v i e w. T h e re is a b s o l u t e ly no e v i d e n ce b e f o re me t h at t he e l e c t i on 1 5 / . .. - 1 5- was not free and fair. As I see it the p e t i t i o n e rs were soundly beaten by the Second Respondent and it is not disputed that out of 299 votes he obtained 90 v o t e s, 3rd p e t i t i o n er got 34 v o t e s, 2nd p e t i t i o n er got 32 votes and the last p e t i t i o n er "got the l o w e s t, or the lowest but one v o t e" (see paragraph 6 of the answering affidavit of Motlatsi Kelly M a h a s e. I am satisfied that the poll was conducted in secrecy through a secret ballot box and that the voters exercised their choice as they saw f i t. This court is not prepared to deny them that c h o i c e. There is then the aspect of the p e t i t i o n e r s' d e l ay in launch- ing this a p p l i c a t i o n. As earlier stated the election took place on 8th June 1996 but they only filed this a p p l i c a t i on either on 26th June 1996 or on 27th June 1996 as a f f o r e s a i d. By then a lot of water had already gone under the b r i d g e. Indeed in paragraph 12 of his answering affidavit Motlatsi Kelly Mahase avers in part:- "On or about 18th June, 1996 the elected candidates including myself took an oath of office and we were formally and officially introduced to the Town Clerk, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Council. The occasion was at the Municipal Hall at Ha Thamae." And later in the same paragraph he s t a t e s :- "At the least the petitioners ought to have been aware as the processes were publicly announced." I o b s e r ve that these allegations are u n c h a l l e n g e d. The petitioners seem to hang on to the claim that they had lodged a p r o t e s t. I am satisfied however that the said protest had long been disposed of as earlier stated. That is precisely the reason why the petitioners did not object to the Second R e s p o n d e nt taking 1 6 / . .. - 1 6- t he o a th of o f f i ce n or d id t h ey s e ek a c o u rt i n t e r d i ct a g a i n st t he l a t t er at t h at s t a g e. I f i nd t h at t he b a l a n ce of c o n v e n i e n ce is a g a i n st t he p e t i t i o n e rs in t h e ir b e l a t ed a t t e m pt to u n s e at t he S e c o nd R e s p o n d e n t. T h e re w as a n o t h er s t r a n ge t u rn of e v e n ts in t h is m a t t er t h at n e e ds to be c o m m e n t ed u p o n. It is t h i s. T he c o u rt a s k ed M r. P h o o f o lo d u r i ng h is s u b m i s s i on in r e p ly as to w h at w as t he b a s is of p r a y er ( b) of t he N o t i ce of M o t i on as f ar as 2 n d, 3 rd a nd 4 th petitioners w e re c o n c e r n e d. H ow c o u ld t h ey s e ek to h a ve t h e ir o wn u n d i s p u t ed e l e c t i on d e c l a r ed as v a l i d? Or w as it t he c a se t h at e a ch of t h em w as c l a i m i ng to h a ve b e en t he w i n n er d i s p i te t he a d m i t t ed v o te c o u n t? M r. P h o o f o l o 's r e s p o n se w as to i n f o rm t he c o u rt t h at t h o se p e t i t i o n e rs w e re " d r o p p i n g" t h e ir p e t i t i o ns in t he c i r c u m s t a n c e s. T h is in i t s e lf i n d i c a t es h ow m i s c o n c e i v ed t h e ir p e t i t i o ns w e r e. T h ey d e s e r ve to be p u n i s h ed w i th c o s ts as t h ey p u r s u ed t h e ir b a s e l e ss p e t i t i o ns r i g ht up to t he e n d. In t he r e s u lt t h e r e f o re a ll t he f o ur p e t i t i o ns b e f o re me a re h e r e by d i s m i s s ed w i th c o s t s. In t e r ms of r e g u l a t i on 72 of t he M u n i c i p al a nd U r b an C o u n c i ls E l e c t i o ns R e g u l a t i o n s, 1 9 87 I do h e r e by d e t e r m i ne a nd c e r t i fy t h at t he S e c o nd R e s p o n d e nt M o t l a t si K e l ly M a h a se w as d u ly e l e c t e d. M . M. R A M 0 D I B E DI A C T I NG J U D GE 2 5 th d ay of O c t o b e r, 1 9 9 6. F or P e t i t i o n e r s: F or R e s p o n d e n t s: M r. P h o o f o lo M r. M a k h e t he