Lesotho, May 21 -- Frustrated by unpaid salaries and unfulfilled promises, chiefs and village health workers (VHWs) from across the country made their way to Parliament last week to demand action. Their grievances centre on the failure of the ministries of local government and health to deliver payments owed to both parties despite assurances.

This was the first time since independence that chiefs took their grievances to parliament, according to the Leader of Opposition, Hon Mathibeli Mokhothu.

In Lesotho, chiefs play a key role in traditional governance and local administration. They are custodians of customary law and are responsible for presiding over local disputes, maintaining law and order, allocating land (under the authority of...