FORMER Prime Minister, Thomas Thabane, will step down as leader of the ruling All Basotho Convention (ABC).

Announcing the decision on 31 December 2021 in Maseru, the 82-year-old Mr Thabane said he will step down at the party’s conference which will be held on 28 January 2022. Mr Thabane has led the ABC since its formation in 2006.

His departure is likely to worsen divisions within the fractious ruling party as bigwigs will jostle for the top job. Current ABC deputy leader and Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro could throw his hat into the ring. However, he is at loggerheads with Mr Thabane and his allies who dominate the party’s national executive committee. On 2 December 2021, the ABC NEC voted to recall Dr Majoro but the latter refused to step down as prime minister. The party had already resolved that the 28 January 2022 conference will discuss Dr Majoro’s fate, with some Thabane loyalists said to be angling for his expulsion from the party. It remains to be seen if ex-cabinet minister, Nkaku Kabi, who had been chosen by the Thabane faction to replace Dr Majoro as premier will contest the ABC leader’s post. Two other senior officials who could throw their hats into the ring are chairperson, Samuel Rapapa and secretary general, Lebohang Hlaele. Mr Rapapa has made no secret of his desire to contest the post once Mr Thabane goes. Insiders say Mr Hlaele, a son-in-law to Mr Thabane, has been eying the post for a long time. He has been using his position as secretary general to build up his power base with a view to taking over the leadership, the insiders say.

The post Thabane to step down as ABC leader appeared first on Lesotho Times.

Staff Reporter

PRIME Minister Moeketsi Majoro has recovered from Covid-19. The premier had tested positive to the virus on Christmas eve and he immediately went into isolation.

In a statement earlier today, the premier’s press attaché, Buta Moseme, said he had since been given the all-clear after a second test returned a negative result today.

“Kindly be informed that the Right Honourable, the Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro has ended his self-isolation which followed his positive test to Covid-19 on the 24th December 2021,” Mr Moseme said.

“As a prerequisite, the Prime Minister had to take another Covid-19 test on 31 December 2021 and the results came out negative. Therefore, Dr Majoro wishes to convey his appreciation to all Basotho for their support during this period. He has also resumed his duties,” Mr Moseme added.

The post Majoro recovers from Covid-19, ends isolation appeared first on Lesotho Times.

Staff Reporter

THE Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) has appointed Lehlomela Mohapi in acting governor after the expiry of the former incumbent, Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane’s term of office.

Dr Matlanya’s term of office ended along with those of her two deputies, Masilo Makhetha and Mathabo Makenete (first and second deputy respectively) on 31 December 2021.

In a statement on its official Facebook account on Tuesday, the CBL wished Mr Mohapi well in his new post.

“Members of the public are kindly advised that the term of office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Lesotho, Dr Retelisitsoe Matlanyane, and that of the First Deputy Governor, Dr Masilo Makhetha, and the Second Deputy Governor, Ms Mathabo Makenete, ended on the 31st December 2021,” the statement reads.

“Following the end of term of office of the Governor and the two Deputy Governors, the Government of Lesotho has appointed Mr Lehlomela Mohapi as the Acting Governor.

“The Central Bank of Lesotho wishes to thank the Governor and the Deputy Governors for their service to the Bank and the nation and wishes them the very best for the future. The Bank also wishes Mr Mohapi well as he takes up the responsibility of Acting Governor,” the bank said.

Read more in the Lesotho Times on Thursday.

The post CBL appoints acting governor appeared first on Lesotho Times.

…former ABC deputy leader slams Majoro, Mokhothu for “failure of leadership”

’Marafaele Mohloboli

BASOTHO Action Party (BAP) leader, Nqosa Mahao, has accused Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro and his deputy, Mathibeli Mokhothu, of dismally failing to provide leadership to address the challenges the country is facing including  rampant killings and endemic poverty.

Professor Mahao also accused Dr Majoro and Mr Mokhothu of pushing for the closure of parliament at a crucial time when legislators had to debate and approve an omnibus constitutional amendment bill which seeks to bring about a raft of changes aimed at creating stability in government.

Among other things, the bill sponsored by the National Reforms Authority (NRA), seeks to make it harder to remove a sitting prime minister by introducing a requirement for two thirds majority instead of the current simple majority vote for his removal. The bill also seeks to introduce two term limits for a premier.

However, the bill is unlikely to be debated any time soon following the closure of parliament for its annual Christmas break. Indications are that both the National Assembly and Senate will open in February next year and from that time until the end of April they will be seized with the national budget. This would then mean the earliest that the constitutional amendment bill and other parliamentary business can be discussed is May 2022.

This will be just a month shy of the end of the current parliament’s tenure before the next elections.

Prof Mahao, a former deputy leader of Dr Majoro’s All Basotho Convention (ABC) believes that Dr Majoro and his Democratic Congress (DC) coalition partner, Mr Mokhothu, are behind the closure of parliament at such a crucial time to avoid a no confidence vote against the government.

The no confidence motion was tabled by former ABC legislator, Tefo Mapesela, and it is likely to be supported by an ABC faction loyal to  party leader, Thomas Thabane, which is vehemently opposed to Dr Majoro. The premier succeeded Prof Mahao as ABC deputy leader after the latter dumped the party in April this year to form the BAP. Prof Mahao cited an alleged plot by Dr Majoro, Mr Thabane and secretary general Lebohang Hlaele, to expel him from the party  as his reason for dumping the ABC.

Addressing a rally in Matsieng early this week, Prof Mahao said, “our country is in trouble because of a leadership that came to power without any concrete plans and a vision”.

“Majoro and Mokhothu have run away and decided to close parliament after learning of the plans by some of their colleagues to pass a no confidence vote against them.

“We are in the middle of the reforms process and the constitutional amendment bill can only be passed by a two thirds majority in both the Senate and the National Assembly. Thereafter, there must be a cooling period of two months before a referendum is held to approve the bill after it has been voted upon in parliament. How will all this be possible when Majoro and Mokhothu have decided to close parliament and run away?

“We only have until 24 June 2022 before the tenure of the current parliament ends. When are we ever going to debate the bill sponsored by the National Reforms Authority when parliament is closed?

“We have heard that they will only open parliament in February 2022 just to work on the budget submissions. So, when will the reforms be deliberated on? This means that we might go for elections with an uneven playing field. This means we, as the BAP, may have to come in and see the reforms process to finality.”

Prof Mahao accused Dr Majoro and Mr Mokhothu of a “leadership deficit’, saying they had failed to take responsibility and act “yet week in, week out, there is a  new scandal happening in this country”.

“I am dead serious when I say this country is lost because it doesn’t have a leadership. Hence you see the endemic poverty and killings. People are dying like flies and our leaders are not taking any responsibility. Basotho must understand that they are being governed by two parties (ABC and DC) whose leaders have no vision. The BAP must work hard to win power in 2022.

“The ABC even wrote to us, inviting us to a government of national unity and we told them that we don’t want anything to do with this proposed GNU. We will only be in a government that has been given the mandate by the people. It seems the DC is not part of the government and they are only there for the state resources which they will use to buy votes in 2022.”

Prof Mahao, who fought a two-year-long war with Mr Thabane for control of the party, said the ABC was now finished due to the infighting. He warned his own party members against infighting lest the BAP goes the way of the ABC.

“Today the ABC is finished. The cause of its demise is infighting. We should desist from infighting and be different from all these other parties. We should demonstrate that we are a new party with new values and a different outlook. We should also take advantage of the ABC’s problems and lure its leaders into our party,” Prof Mahao said.

The post ABC is finished: Mahao appeared first on Lesotho Times.

Leemisa Thuseho

FIFA has approved a request by the Lesotho Football Association for 11 of its referees to receive the prestigious FIFA badges for 2022.

The approval means that the 11 will soon start receiving appointments to officiate in international matches across the globe.

On the list of officials to get FIFA badges are five central referees, among them two females. There are also six assistant referees, two of whom are women. The list was approved by FIFA on 18 and 19 December 2021. This after LeFA had submitted its request in September in time for the 1 October deadline.

“FIFA has released a list of the LeFA referees that are certified to officiate in official international matches for 2022,” LeFA said in a statement on Monday.

“The list approved by FIFA includes the country’s top assistant referee Souru Phatšoane, who left the country on Sunday to officiate in the Africa Cup of Nations that gets underway in Cameroon next week.”

‘Mathabo Kolokotoane made a return to the international stage after losing his spot in 2021 while Fumane Mokhethi is the only one who lost her spot from last year’s list.

The male central referees on the list are Osiase Koto, Lebalang Mokete and Retšelisitsoe Molise, while the females are Kolokotoane and Nteboheleng Setoko. The male assistant referees are Phatšoane, Lesupi Puputla, `Mapoho Mapoho and Siza Dlangamandla while the females are Puleng Mahomo and Polotso Maapara.

Last year, Lesotho also had 11 FIFA recognised referees, which according to LeFA referees’ coordinator, Mohau Sentšo, is Lesotho’s quota.

“Lesotho has only 11 slots in the referees’ selection for any particular year. However, the number can still increase based on the standard of our premier league.

“Despite having only 11 slots, we do send a larger pool of officials in the order of their local rankings,” Sentšo told the Lesotho Times this week.

Meanwhile, the referees’ committee will on Sunday host a referees’ fitness test at Setsoto Stadium to prepare them for the resumption of football activities. Vodacom Premier League matches are expected to resume on 15 after the three-week Christmas break.

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Bereng Mpaki

THE Mining ministry will soon revoke its mining contracts with the proprietors of Lemphane and Kolo diamond mines.
Revoking the contracts will open up space for new investors to enable the mines, which have been dormant for several years, to resume operations this year, Mining Minister, Serialong Qoo, said in an interview this week.
Lemphane mine has been dormant since 2014 while Kolo mine last operated in 2018 after completing its trial mining phase.
Lemphane mine was leased to the United Kingdom’s Paragon Diamonds Limited in 2014 but has to date failed to start production due to funding challenges. The company needed to raise at least US$100 million before commencing operations, according to its licence agreement.
Kolo mine on the other hand, was leased to Reskol Diamond Mining in 2011. The company announced back in 2018 that it had completed trial mining and was preparing to move into commercial production pending relocation of families who were settled in the leased mining area. No progress has been made to date.
Mr Qoo expressed concern over the lack of progress by the two mines, saying it was holding back the country’s job creation efforts.
“We are concerned by their lack of progress, and we will revoke their contracts in 2022 to open them up for other investors willing to take them,” Mr Qoo said.
“Our primary concern is job creation, and with the time these mines have taken, it does not look like we are getting anywhere. For instance, Lemphane mine was awarded a licence over five years ago but they are yet to start production. We want to resolve all outstanding issues around our mining operations for the sake of our people who need jobs.”
The ministry is also targeting to start issuing artisanal small-scale mining licences this year following the passing of the Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill by the National Assembly last November. The Bill, which seeks to alleviate poverty by empowering locals to venture into mining, is awaiting clearance by the upper house of parliament, the Senate before His Majesty King Letsie III can approve it into law.
The Bill was preceded by the passage of the Precious Stones (Prevention of Illicit and Theft of Diamonds) Regulations in November 2020.
The regulations gave limited amnesty to persons in possession of undocumented diamonds to hand them over to the government for auction on their behalf, culminating in a diamond auction in May 2021.
“Implementation of the Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill after being passed by the Senate is actually our starting point for 2022. We had anticipated the Bill would be passed before the end of 2021 so that we would have already begun issuing diamond digging permits by now. We are just waiting for the Senate to give us the green light.”
The minister said they had made progress in November 2021 towards localising the sale of diamonds by issuing an expression of interest (EOI) for interested entities to conduct a feasibility study. The deadline for the applications was 21 December 2021. Lesotho diamonds are currently exported in their rough form thereby denying the country an opportunity to create diamond processing jobs.
“The idea is to explore how best the processing of Lesotho diamonds can be done locally and to study the viability options for beneficiation. This is part of creating local value chains for employment creation through different processes including diamond cutting, polishing in the country,” Mr Qoo said.

The post appeared first on Lesotho Times.

FORMER Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s imminent exit from his beloved All Basotho Convention (ABC) presents his party colleagues with an excellent opportunity to plot a new path in terms of rejuvenating the ailing party and carving out new policies to make it attractive again.
But they can only do that if they decide to eschew the petty politics and selfish considerations which have led to vicious infighting and splits within the biggest party in the coalition government. They should be selfless enough to choose a successor with the right blend of education, local and international appeal and the willingness to push the government to implement tough decisions to attract investment and lift the country out of its penury. It has to be said that Mr Thabane, for all his flaws, had for long been a much-loved figure, before the advent of his garrulous and undiplomatic young third wife. His return to power in 2017 was achieved on the back of a popular campaign to stabilise the country after years of instability and gross human rights violations mainly by the army and the police under the watch of the previous Pakalitha Mosisili-led seven parties coalition.
But for the three years that he was in power from 2017 to 2020, he failed to transform Lesotho into the hoped-for peaceful and stable country with high investment inflows. By the time he was forced to resign by his own party in May 2020, Mr Thabane had also failed to stabilize the ABC. His tenure had been seriously underwhelming. A month before he resigned as premier, his party had already experienced two splits. His former deputy, Nqosa Mahao, had jumped ship with 10 MPs to form the Basotho Action Party (BAP).
This after a two-year acrimonious battle with Mr Thabane for control of the party. Professor Mahao and his allies were soon followed through the exit door by the outspoken former cabinet minister and ABC MP for Mokhotlong, Tefo Mapesela. This left the ABC with a thin majority in government and the new premier, Moeketsi Majoro, has been hanging on by a thread ever since. Dr Majoro has Deputy Prime Minister Mathibeli Mokhothu’s Democratic Congress (DC) largely to thank for allowing him to continue as prime minister. At a personal level, Mr Thabane was hounded by the sensational revelations that he and his current wife, ‘Maesaiah, are the key suspects in the 14 June 2017 murder of his ex-wife, Lipolelo. They and other suspects, who include some Famo musicians, are due to stand trial in March this year.
By his own admission, the soon-to-be 83-year-old Mr Thabane has also been dogged by health challenges. These, coupled with the chaos and instability within the ABC, had made his continued hold of the party leadership untenable.
We are glad that after so many exhortations in this publication, Mr Thabane has finally decided to relinquish the leadership of the party he founded way back in 2006. Mr Thabane has been a permanent feature in our politics from independence in 1966 and that puts him in the league of many liberation leaders on the continent. However much as we may love the liberation era generation of politicians, the reality is that their time is long up. The politics and needs of African countries have changed a lot since the days of founding fathers and liberation era heroes like Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Robert Mugabe, Jose Eduardo do Santos and Samora Machel.
The likes of Nyerere were among the earliest to realise the need for fresh ideas hence his decision to hand over to Ali Hassan Mwinyi in Tanzania in 1985. Even Nelson Mandela who came to power much later in 1994 was clever enough to realise that despite his enormous local, continental and global appeal, he could not go on beyond one term in office. And he handed over the baton to Thabo Mbeki and left with his legacy very much intact. But just like Mr Thabane, the late Mr Mugabe either failed or refused to understand the times and sought to remain in charge even when the need for fresh blood was clear. He had to be dragged kicking and screaming from State House by the very military which had propped him up for a long time. Fortunately for Mr Thabane, he did not have to suffer the ignominy of a military coup. He gave up the premiership and still retained respect from some in his party colleagues- the Lipolelo murder mystery notwithstanding.
Now that he is also giving up the ABC leadership, we hope he will truly be gone from the scene and not continue to pull the strings in the background like a puppeteer. The ABC should take advantage of the opportunity presented by Mr Thabane’s exit to wipe the slate clean. The party needs to urgently unite and choose a new leader who can bring cohesion and end the infighting. This is a historic moment for the ABC, very much like it was for the DC when the founding leader, Mr Mosisili stepped down in 2019. The DC seized the moment and chose Mr Mathibeli who has since worked hard to rebrand the party and cleanse its previous unfavourable image as a corrupt organisation.
Similarly, the ABC’s national executive committee (NEC) and the party’s legislators must think long and hard. They must rise above petty politics of parochial, factional and selfish considerations to choose the candidate who embodies the necessary qualities to lift the party and ultimately, the country out of its current rot and stagnation. They have an excellent opportunity to nominate a deserving candidate who will appeal to the previously feuding party factions as a unifying force. That candidate must also be one with sufficient clout to appeal to regional, continental and international development partners. This must be someone with the requisite understanding of international relations to ensure that we do not fall foul of these partners.
It goes without saying that choosing Mr Thabane’s successor is not a Mickey Mouse programme. It calls for high-mindedness on the part of everyone involved.
To borrow from the legendary Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie; history will remember the judgement and decisions of the ABC. We pray and urge them not to mess it up and fail themselves and the nation.

The post Moment of truth for the ABC appeared first on Lesotho Times.

’Marafaele Mohloboli

LOCAL Government and Chieftainship minister, Lehlohonolo Moramotse, has been accused of land pollution amid revelations that his unlicensed waste disposal truck was impounded by Maseru City Council (MCC) officials on New Year’s Eve on allegations of dumping sewerage at an undesignated area in Ha Pena-Pena, Maseru.
The driver of the minister’s truck was arrested and fined M5000 for his illegal actions.
Incidentally, Mr Moramotse heads the MCC’s parent ministry. As if contravening the pollution by-laws was not enough, the impounded truck was released by council officials before the M5000 fine had even been paid.
An MCC officer who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said, “the truck was released before the fine had been paid after one of our senior officers, acting Town Clerk, Motseki Khuto, gave orders for its release.
“We don’t know if he was acting on his own or under Ntate Moramotse’s instructions since the latter heads our parent ministry”.
The source said the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) caught wind of the matter and called Mr Khuto, saying his order for the release of the truck when the fine had not been paid was tantamount to corruption.
“It was only after the DCEO’s intervention that the fine was paid,” the source said.
Contacted for comment, Mr Khuto denied any wrongdoing, saying the truck was only released after the fine had been paid.
“These accusations are baseless. I did not order the release of any vehicle. However, I am aware that a waste disposal truck was impounded on Friday and it was only released after the fine had been paid,” Mr Khuto said.
However, DCEO spokesperson, ’Matlhokomelo Senoko, confirmed that the anti-graft body had intervened upon learning about the unprocedural release of the impounded truck.
“The DCEO was made aware of the release of the truck before the fine had been paid and we immediately took up the matter with the Town Clerk,” Ms Senoko said, adding that the fine was eventually paid.
Besides polluting the environment, the truck was being used illegally as it is not registered with the Water and Sewage Company (WASCO) as per the regulations.
WASCO Public Relations Officer, Dave Mahlo, said the truck was not registered with his organisation hence it was being illegally used for waste disposal purposes.
“This particular truck is not registered with us. All the tankers that are used for disposing sewerage tendered and were awarded the job,” Mr Mahlo said.
On his part, Mr Moramotse said the tanker belonged to his son.
“That is not my tanker. It belongs to my son. He told me that he had paid a M5000 fine for its release after it had been impounded.
“My son also told me that he is awaiting an operating licence after submitting his application to WASCO,” Mr Moramotse said. However, the MCC sources insisted that the tanker belonged to the minister.
Mr Moramotse is no stranger to controversy.
In April 2020 when he was Police and Public Safety minister, Mr Moramotse was charged with contravening Covid-19 regulations. This after he allegedly bought alcohol in contravention of gazetted regulations forbidding such purchases during the national lockdown at the time.
He was accused of illegally purchasing two boxes of assorted whiskeys at Borokhoaneng Urban Offsales in Maseru.
He was later released on M500 bail. The matter is pending in the Maseru Magistrates’ Court.

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Bereng Mpaki

PRIME Minister Moeketsi Majoro has reiterated the government’s stance that all employers in the public and private sector should ensure that their employees are vaccinated before they can access their places of work.
But employers have blasted the government for failing to consult them before coming up with the new protocols.
The measures were first announced by Health Minister Semano Sekatle a fortnight ago in a televised address to the nation. At the time, Mr Sekatle said the new requirement would come into effect on 1 January 2022.
“Because of the surge in Covid-19 infections, the government has resolved that from 1 January 2022, all public servants, NGO and (private) company employees should not be allowed entry into their work premises without being vaccinated,” Mr Sekatle said.
“To show that the positivity rate is increasing at an alarming rate, it has shot up from 0, 85 percent to 13 percent in just one week. Hospital admissions have increased from three percent to seven percent of those infected.”
And on Monday, Dr Majoro reiterated that employers must ensure that all their workers have been vaccinated before accessing their places of work.
Dr Majoro also said unvaccinated persons would not obtain health services.
He said the rate of Covid-19 infections increased by 10 percent since the end of November 2021 to date with infections shooting from 48 to 2654 during that period. Lesotho has so far recorded a total of  29 999 cases and 673 deaths according to the latest data from the National Covid-19 Secretariat (NACOSEC).
Dr Majoro said Lesotho had as of Monday vaccinated 830 128 people, which is 52 percent of the 1, 6 million people eligible for vaccination.
“Cabinet has approved the decision for all employers to ensure that all their workers are vaccinated,” Dr Majoro said.
“These include government employees, state enterprises workers, private sector workers and civil society workers. All people seeking medical attention from health centres will be required to produce proof of Covid-19 vaccination to obtain services. This is being done due to the high Covid-19 infections among health workers.”
But the Association of Lesotho Employers and Businesses (ALEB) immediately blasted the government saying the decision would likely hurt the already ailing economy.
ALEB chief executive officer (CEO), Advocate Lindiwe Sephomolo, told the Lesotho Times the government’s decision would burden employers with public health issues which were not their responsibility.
“We do not support the government’s decision to delegate its public health duties to employers. That is not the employers’ responsibility and we find it wrong and unfair on us.
“We do not have a problem with the government’s plan for universal vaccination but to turn employers into inspectors and then penalising anyone for not abiding by the directive to ensure all workers are vaccinated is unacceptable.”
She said ALEB was notified by NACOSEC this week that employers who contravened the government’s directive would be fined anything between M5000 to M10 000 or alternatively face one-month imprisonment.
Adv Sephomolo said many factory employers could fail to resume operations this January after the December 2021 holidays because most of their employees were unvaccinated.
“Some firms have as much as 70 percent of unvaccinated workers. What the government should do is to go into the factories and start vaccinating workers to enable production to continue. The government should have put up proper systems in place to ensure easier vaccination before deciding to penalise employers whose workers are not vaccinated.
“When we met NACOSEC on Monday, we thought it was for consultation purposes but we were surprised to be informed about the government’s decision to impose compulsory vaccination,” Adv Sephomolo said.
If employers were consulted beforehand, they would have provided valuable input for the benefit of both parties, she said.
NACOSEC acting chief executive officer, Thabo Ntoi, yesterday acknowledged his organisation’s failure to consult with employers before coming up with the new protocols. He however said they had apologised and notified the employers of their obligations.
While ensuring the vaccination of the public is the duty of the government and not the employers, the employers have a duty to ensure that their workers are in a safe and healthy work environment, he said.
“The constitution stipulates that it is the duty of an employer to ensure that his or her workers have a safe and healthy working environment. So, while we have acknowledged the lack of consultation and apologised, we notified the employers of their duty with regards to the new protocols.
“It is their duty to ensure that all their workers are in a safe environment including one safe from the killer Covid-19 and in avoidance of closure of businesses prevent risking severe sicknesses and deaths caused by Covid-19,” Mr Ntoi said.
Lesotho introduced Covid-19 passports under which sporting events, social activities and some services were only supposed to be accessed by people who had been fully vaccinated. Dr Majoro announced the measures last October but several stakeholders in the sports and entertainment sectors did not enforce them.

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THE Central Bank of Lesotho has advertised for a new governor following the expiry of the incumbent, Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane’s contract on 31 December 2021.
In the meantime, Mr Lehlomela Mohapi has been appointed acting CBL governor. (See story on Page 14). This week, Lesotho Times (LT) editor, Herbert Moyo, engaged Nedbank Lesotho managing director, Nkau Matete, who outlined his views of an ideal permanent CBL boss. Below are excerpts of the wide-ranging interview wherein Mr Matete also discusses various issues including the country’s economic prospects for 2022.

LT: What are your views on the just ended year from an economic perspective?

Matete: It was a very tough year. In January 2021, the country was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic due to the influx of people who had come home for the 2020 Christmas holidays from South Africa.
As a result, we started 2021 with a hard lockdown which was not good for the economy as there were restrictions on many economic activities and a ban on cross-border travel.
Fast forward to May and June 2021, we had a massive industrial action by textile workers who were demanding higher wages. This resulted in a month-long period of non-production in the textile industry. These two events dictated how the rest of the year would pan out.
Our economy also depends on the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) revenues and if there is no free movement of people and goods across the border because of the lockdowns, that means the kitty from the SACU revenue pool will also be impacted. Projections for our gross domestic product (GDP) growth were around 3, 7 percent but due to the situation on the ground, it is doubtful whether that will be achieved.
What was therefore left as the big hope was the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LWHP II) which was able to advance beyond the advance infrastructure construction. So, the LHWP II made a significant injection into the country’s economy despite encountering some setbacks when some of the newly constructed structures were swept away by the torrential rains at the time.

LT: How was the year for the banking sector in general and for Nedbank in particular?

Matete: Overall, the financial sector performed better than the year before. However, ours is an interesting sector which can be severely impacted by the collapse of a single corporate client.
We had that misfortune when one of our clients in the mining industry collapsed. That really set us back.
On the retail side, we met almost all the benchmarks and that was one good thing for us. This helped off-set the loss incurred after the collapse of the big client. Recovering what we are owed by our big client will take time as the matter has to be dealt with in the courts of law. It has to be noted that the Commercial Court was dysfunctional in 2021 due to the lack of judges.
This meant that all commercial disputes were not resolved as they had to be placed in the queue along with criminal cases in the High Court. This affected businesses a great deal. With the swearing in of two judges, including one for the Commercial Court towards the end of 2021, we expect the situation to improve going forward. But as you can imagine, a whole year without progress in the Commercial Court means that there is already a huge backlog of cases to be cleared.
A silver lining from the Covid-19 experience was that it forced the banking industry to fast-track the digitisation of services. The increased collaboration between mobile network operators (MNOs) and banks are some of the legacies of the Covid-19 era. This has enabled people to maintain social distancing by working from home via the digital solutions that were developed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

LT: Since MNOs now offer financial services especially for the lower end of the market, do you view them as competitors and how have they affected the banks’ operations and profitability?

Matete: In terms of the share of the wallet, we cannot ignore MNOs as competitors. But I choose not to see them that way. I see them as bringing a different perspective and bringing an opportunity which never existed before. MNOs are slightly faster in terms of innovation than conservative banks. That flexibility and fast pace forces the banks to follow suit.
Mobile money operators innovate faster than banks and collaborating with them has enabled us to make progress in certain areas. I really think partnership and collaboration is what will define the relationship between conventional banks and MNOs.

LT: What areas of partnership have happened between banks and mobile money operators?

Matete: We launched a partnership that enabled people without bank accounts to get their money through the banking system. These people can now use our ATMs to receive money that has been transferred to them via their mobile phones. Banks have a network of ATMs around the country but MNOs do not have them. So, we are partnering with MNOs for their clients to withdraw funds at our ATMs.

LT: Looking forward to 2022, what are the economic prospects for the country and Nedbank?

Matete: I will refer back to the LHWP II since it is by far the largest construction project in the country. What we saw over the past two to three years was construction of the advance infrastructure.
In the 2022/23 financial year, we anticipate the actual dam construction. So we are talking huge figures in terms of the funding for the project and also in terms of employment of our people. I believe the mining sector will also be among the key economic drivers after holding its own against Covid-19 in 2021.
The services sector will also be significant, including the banks and telecommunication services. This sector is dependent on the primary and secondary sectors. If there is movement in those sectors then the services sector will also be vibrant.
I still believe that agriculture will also be key to economic growth. We have received lots of rains so far and we can expect more people venturing into that space. The encouraging aspect is that youths are starting to venture into agriculture.

LT: What is the likely impact of the upcoming general elections on business? What do you think the political leaders should do to provide the much-needed support to business?

Matete: For a long time, business has decided to ignore the political landscape. A lot of people have put their focus into growing their businesses rather than taking interest in government affairs. So, if there is anything that our government and political leadership need to do; it is to provide stability. We hope the elections will provide stability because certainty is key to decision-making in business. You want to be sure that the political leaders you are dealing with will be in power for the five years. Having said that, I am not that optimistic of stability being achieved. I think there will still be coalitions after the elections.

LT: The employment contracts of the governor and deputy governors of the Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) were allowed to run down without any successors being lined up to replace them. Was that the right way to go about it?

Matete: It was unfortunate to have the employment terms of the governor and the deputy governors ending at the same time. I blame it on our politics because if there was stability, there would have been a proper succession plan.
However, this provides an opportunity to review the institution and bring in someone with fresh ideas.
It is also interesting to note that for the first time the post of CBL governor is being advertised as opposed to the usual system where the governor was nominated by the prime minister for appointment by the King.
In my own view, a good candidate for CBL governor should be someone who understands business so that they will also focus on how to solve the funding needs of the country instead of just policing financial institutions.
We need someone with an entrepreneurial mindset in that position to help businesses to unlock opportunities. In my view, the central bank should not only be about regulating banks but also enabling the entire financial sector to play a role that fosters growth in the economy.

LT: Mr Lehlomela Mohapi has been appointed as acting governor of CBL. What is your take on his appointment?

Matete: Mr Mohapi is an experienced economist and also the director of research at CBL (See story on page 14).
Therefore, he has a good institutional memory of the CBL. I would not look anywhere else for someone to stabilise the institution while awaiting a substantive governor. I have full confidence in Mr Mohapi, and we will offer him our usual support.

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. . . accuses SADC facilitator of seeking to protect Metsing and Mochoboroane from prosecution,
. . . says reforms should proceed with or without the two politicians’ parties.

’Marafaele Mohloboli

CABINET minister and Basotho National Party (BNP) leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe, has slammed the head of the SADC facilitation team to Lesotho, Dikgang Moseneke, for allegedly attempting to shield politicians, Mothetjoa Metsing and Selibe Mochoboroane, from prosecution.
Messrs Metsing and Mochoboroane face treason and murder charges alongside former army commander, Tlali Kamoli, Captain Litekanyo Nyakane and Lance Corporals Motloheloa Ntsane and Leutsoa Motsieloa.
Their trial has been set for 10 to 20 January 2022. They will be tried by Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane. Whereas Mr Mochoboroane eventually joined Lieutenant General Kamoli and others in the dock earlier this month, Mr Metsing decided to abscond. His whereabouts remain unknown. Justice Sakoane subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest.
Messrs Metsing and Mochoboroane waged an unsuccessful battle to avoid prosecution on the grounds that an October 2018 SADC-brokered government-opposition agreement shielded them from standing trial until after the implementation of the multi-sector reforms.
The agreement, which was brokered by Justice Moseneke, was thrown out by the Constitutional Court in two separate judgements in 2018 and 2020. The court ruled that Lesotho was not bound by directives of foreign organisations like SADC as long as they had not been domesticated into its municipal laws through acts of parliament. In the wake of the decision to charge Messrs Metsing and Mochoboroane, the former deputy prime minister’s Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) announced last month it was withdrawing from the reforms process.
The party’s withdrawal has been slammed by Mr Mofomobe who this week accused the two politicians of attempting to hold the nation to ransom in their quest to avoid prosecution.
“We can’t allow the country to be held hostage by these two political leaders just because they don’t want to stand trial,” Mr Mofomobe said in an interview.
“We cannot compromise and say they should not be tried lest their parties boycott the reforms. The reforms should go on with or without their parties.”
The outspoken minister also accused Justice Moseneke of seeking to shield the duo from prosecution. He said Justice Moseneke had negotiated a “gentlemen’s agreement” to protect the two politicians from prosecution in violation of a standing SADC heads of state resolution that politicians, serving and former members of the security agencies accused of human rights violations must stand trial.
“I believe that Justice Moseneke is between a rock and a hard place due to the agreement he made promising that the two politicians will not be tried. He (Moseneke) is conversant with the law as he has served in the judiciary.
“SADC leaders made it very clear that all those accused of acts of impunity should be prosecuted but Justice Moseneke went on to make his own decisions via a gentleman’s agreement to stop the trials of the two politicians. But that agreement cannot supersede the resolutions of SADC leaders. In any event, he (Moseneke) cannot tell the courts of Lesotho how to go about their business.
“Other than that, Moseneke had done very well to bring leaders of different political parties and other stakeholders to the negotiating table. He had done very well considering the hostility that we, politicians, have towards each another. His only blight is that agreement to protect some people from prosecution,” Mr Mofomobe said.
Contacted for comment, Mr Mochoboroane said he was unfazed by Mr Mofomobe’s attacks. He said he paid scant regard to his cabinet colleague because he “lacked credibility”.
“I only pay attention to comments by credible and reputable politicians. This one (Mofomobe) isn’t one of the credible and reputable leaders. He is a nobody. I would rather focus my energies elsewhere than dignify his utterances with a response.
“My court appearance and the fact that I was not locked up has frustrated a lot of people who thought I would flee the country,” Mr Mochoboroane said.
LCD Spokesperson, Apesi Ratšele, said his party had no intention of holding anyone to ransom. He said they were simply fighting to get the government to abide by the SADC-brokered agreement not to prosecute their leader.
“We can’t argue with Mofomobe if his opinion is that this is a gentleman’s agreement. He is entitled to his views. However, our expectation is for the government of Lesotho to do the right thing and ensure that the political leaders are not charged now to allow them to participate in the reforms processes. That’s all we want,” Mr Ratšele said.
Clause 10 of the 2018 SADC-brokered government-agreement specifically stated that “Mr Metsing and similarly placed persons in exile will not be subjected to any pending criminal proceedings during the dialogue and reforms process”.
This paved the way for Mr Metsing and some other opposition politicians’ return from exile to participate in the reforms process in November 2018. However, the clause was invalidated in November 2018 and again in November 2020 by the Constitutional Court bench comprising of then Acting Chief Justice ‘Maseforo Mahase, Justices Molefi Makara and Semapo Peete (now retired).
The court judgements invalidating the clause cleared the way for Messrs Metsing and Mochoboroane to be charged with treason in connection with the 30 August 2014 attempted coup against the first government of former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane.
They have also been charged with the murder of Police Sub-Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko which occurred during the attempted coup.

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’Marafaele Mohloboli

ALLIANCE of Democrats (AD) leader, Monyane Moleleki’s decision to seek re-election in the Machache constituency has not gone down well with some party members.
Some branches of the party in the constituency have called on the party’s national executive committee (NEC) to reverse the decision and allow a younger person to contest in the polls which are due any time after September 2022.
In April 2021, Mr Moleleki had said he would not be standing as the party candidate in Machache. He had said he would seek to return to parliament as a non-constituency, proportional representation (PR) legislator, for what would be his last tenure in parliament. Thereafter he would pass the baton to younger politicians.
Mr Moleleki’s first made the pledge to hand over to fresh blood in 2017. At the time, he said his decision not to stand in future elections was premised on his belief that leaders should not cling to positions for life but make way for others.
However, Mr Moleleki somersaulted last month and decided to seek re-election.
Explaining the U-turn, AD deputy leader, Ntoi Rapapa, said Mr Moleleki had initially resolved not to stand in his constituency but seek to return to parliament via the proportional representation (PR) route. However, should the constitutional amendments being proposed as part of the ongoing multi-sector reforms be passed, PR legislators would only be chosen from the list of people who contested and lost in the constituencies, providing they had garnered significant votes.
This means that Mr Moleleki would have to contest in Machache for him to stand any chance of becoming an MP even via the PR route in the event that he loses, Mr Rapapa explained.
But some AD members, including Machache councillor, Litaba Taaibosch, are opposed to Mr Moleleki’s candidature.
“We need to save Ntate Moleleki from himself and some NEC members who pretend to love him but have failed give him proper advice.
“We will have a meeting with him and tell him to his face that we are not happy with his decision to contest especially after he had told us he would not seek re-election and urged us to find a replacement,” Mr Taaibosch said in an interview this week.
Party spokesperson, Thuso Litjobo, downplayed the issue, saying only a few people were opposed to Mr Moleleki’s move to seek re-election.
“We are not going to dwell on this matter because we know the majority are very happy that Ntate Moleleki will seek re-election. Only a handful of people are unhappy about it,” Mr Litjobo said.

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Staff Reporters

ALL Basotho Convention (ABC) leader, Thomas Thabane (pictured), who had over the past three years, resisted calls for him to quit, finally agreed to go at the end of this month due to several factors including old-age, ill-health and the need to give the party ample time to choose a successor to lead the party into general elections later this year.
This is according to senior ABC officials who spoke to the Lesotho Times this week in the wake of the former prime minister’s surprise weekend announcement that he will be stepping down from the helm of the party he has led since its inception in 2006. At his press conference at Victory Hall, Maseru, Mr Thabane said he would be quitting soon but did not give reasons for the decision.
“Today, as a party member who abides by its constitution and respects the leadership of the party, I inform all members of the ABC and the nation at large that I have decided to step down as ABC leader. I will be stepping down very soon,” Mr Thabane said.
“I therefore urge the executive committee of the ABC to start preparing for the party members to elect a leader of their choice. I hope this development will bring a solution to the fights and factions within the ABC,” he added.
Mr Thabane was unreachable when this publication called him for comment yesterday.
ABC spokesperson Montoeli Masoetsa said the 82-year-old Mr Thabane was stepping down because he was now “tired and needed to rest”.
“For the longest time, Ntate Thabane has been saying that he is tired and needs to retire. Therefore, he is stepping down because he feels the time has come for him to go and rest. This is the only reason for his impending retirement,” Mr Masoetsa said in an interview.
However, it appears there is more to the veteran leader’s decision to quit. A senior ABC official, who spoke to the Lesotho Times on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said apart from old-age and ill-health, Mr Thabane was also stepping down to concentrate on his upcoming trial for the 14 June 2017 murder of his ex-wife, Lipolelo Thabane.
He will stand trial in March this year alongside his current wife, ‘Maesaiah and other suspects who include Famo musicians.
The timing of his departure this month, is also aimed at giving the party ample time to choose his successor and thereafter prepare for the elections which are due anytime from September this year, the official said.
If the murder trial drags for any reason including any appeals by any of the parties, it would have been ludicrous for the ABC to go into the elections with a leader caught up in a murder issue, the official added. It would have given campaign fodder to the ABC’s opponents. Mr Thabane had also long wanted to retire as party leader but could not do so because his young wife, ‘Maesaiah, had wanted him to cling on. For the past three years, the ABC has been riven by serious divisions and infighting. Initially the power struggle was between Mr Thabane and his former deputy, Nqosa Mahao, who had been elected into the national executive committee (NEC) at the party’s February 2019 elective conference.
Professor Mahao eventually left the ABC and formed his own Basotho Action Party (BAP) in April 2021. He accused Mr Thabane of plotting with Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro and ABC secretary general, Lebohang Hlaele, to oust him from the party.
Prof Mahao departed with 10 MPs while Mokhotlong MP, Tefo Mapesela, also jumped ship to form the Basotho Patriotic Party (BPP). The splits, as well as the departures of a few other MPs to other parties, whittled down the ABC’s National Assembly seats from 50 at the inception of the current governing coalition in May 2020 to just 35. The ABC infighting did not end with Prof Mahao and Mr Mapesela’s departures. Currently the power struggle is between Mr Thabane and Dr Majoro’s factions. The pro-Thabane NEC even voted to recall Dr Majoro at its 2 December 2021 meeting.
However, Dr Majoro refused to resign in favour of former cabinet minister, Nkaku Kabi, who had been chosen to replace him. (See story on page 2). According to the senior ABC official, the ongoing infighting has taken its toll on Mr Thabane and he now fears that unless the party unites behind a new leader, it will dismally lose the general elections.
Therefore, he is quitting when there are still many months before the expiry of the tenure of the current parliament in September this year to give the ABC time to elect a new leader and regroup in time for the polls, the official said.
“The leader’s imminent departure may come as a surprise to the public but it is not at all surprising to us,” the official said.
“Publicly, he has been digging in and saying he is not going anywhere but since 2019 he has been telling us to work on choosing his successor. He would have gone a long time ago had it not been for the infighting in the party particularly after the election of Mahao into the NEC.
“It was his idea that we prepare for the January 2022 special conference to choose his successor. It is his wish that the elections to choose his successor proceed smoothly and don’t cause further divisions among us. However, it is highly likely that the losers will not be happy with the outcome of the polls to replace him. Therefore, he has timed his departure for the end of this month to give the party ample time to regroup and unite behind his successor ahead of the general elections later this year.
“Besides that, he is now a sickly old man and wants to rest,” the senior ABC official said.
Mr Thabane has himself alluded to his old age in his court papers filed in November 2021 as part of his ultimately unsuccessful application for bail in connection with the Lipolelo murder.
Despite waging a spirited campaign to topple Dr Majoro who is 22 years his junior, Mr Thabane has in his court papers, portrayed himself as terminally ill old man who fears dying in jail if he is not granted bail.
“The petitioner is a sickly old man who is 82 years old. The petitioner’s health situation is fragile and he suffers from a medical condition that requires specialists in Johannesburg where he attends the medical services frequently (sic). The petitioner needs the specialist medical services to sustain the last stages of his gracious life.
“The matter is urgent as the petitioner will not be able to access the medical services if he is remanded in custody. The petitioner’s life will be in danger in circumstances where he is unable to receive treatment for his medical condition,” Mr Thabane stated in his bizarre bail application.
The strange application was filed on 29 November 2021- a day before Mr Thabane was due to appear in the High Court to get a formal notice of the Crown’s intention to have him tried for the murder of Lipolelo Thabane.
Mr Thabane subsequently attended a pre-trial interview conducted by Assistant High Court Registrar, Tebello Mokhoema. He was then informed that he will stand trial alongside his current wife, ‘Maesaiah and several other suspects in March next year. Mr Thabane is expected to be formally charged and plead to the charges then.
It appears that he applied for bail out of the belief that he would be charged with murder when in fact, he had only been summoned for a pre-trial hearing to give him formal notice of the intention to try him.
Another official said if he had continued slagging it out with his opponents as party leader, it would have belied his contention for leniency from the courts on the basis that he is a “sickly old man”.

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…as Majoro, Kabi, Rapapa, Ntsekele vie to replace Thabane,
…Rapapa fires warning shots at rivals; derisively labels them ‘Maesaiah’s boys,
…vows to win and “retrieve the ABC from the former first lady’s purse”.

’Marafaele Mohloboli/Mohalenyane Phakela

EMBATTLED Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro will face off with cabinet minister Samuel Rapapa, and ex-ministers Nkaku Kabi and Samonyane Ntsekele, in an epic battle for the soon-to-be vacant All Basotho Convention (ABC) leadership.
The four have thrown their hats into the leadership contest in the wake of ABC leader and former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s surprise announcement that he will be stepping down at the end of the month. (See story on page 4).
The election of his successor will be conducted at the party’s special conference slated for 28 and 29 January 2021.
Two more candidates, Mr Thabane’s son in law and party secretary general Lebohang Hlaele and former Defence Minister Prince Maliehe, could also throw their hats in the ring, joining the relatively crowded field for the ABC leadership. The two had nevertheless not declared their intentions by the time of going to print last night.
The outspoken Mr Rapapa has since thrown down the gauntlet to his rivals who he derisively called ‘Maesaiah’s boys for their alleged closeness and collaborations with the hugely controversial former First Lady, ‘Maesaiah Thabane, at various points in their political careers. He has vowed to win the contest in order to fulfil his mission of “reclaiming the ABC from ‘Maesaiah’s purse”.
Over the weekend, the 82-year-old Mr Thabane, who has led the ABC since its inception in October 2006, announced that he will be relinquishing the leadership at the upcoming special conference.
“On several occasions I asked you (NEC) to release me from the mission of leading the ABC but there has been resistance although you put forward valid reasons,” Mr Thabane said in his address to party supporters at Victory Hall, Maseru.
“Today, as a party member who abides by its constitution and respects the leadership of the party, I inform all members of the ABC and the nation at large that I have decided to step down as ABC leader. I will be stepping down very soon.
“I therefore urge the executive committee of the ABC to start preparing for the party members to elect a leader of their choice. I hope this development will bring a solution to the fights and factions within the ABC,” Mr Thabane added.
This week, the ABC’s national executive committee (NEC) followed up on Mr Thabane’s announcement by issuing a circular declaring a vacancy for the top party job and called on the constituency committees to prepare to elect a new leader at the special conference later this month.
“In its virtual meeting, the national executive committee has agreed that the office of the secretary general releases a circular informing the constituencies’ committees about the announcement made by party leader on 31 December 2021 at Victory Hall, Maseru,” party secretary general, Mr Hlaele, said in his circular.
“The leader has announced that the time for him to retire has come after a lengthy request that the NEC works on the logistics for his retirement. Therefore, the constituency committees should prepare to elect a new party leader at the 28 to 29 January 2022 conference.
“The leader has also appealed to all party followers to support and embrace whoever shall be elected as party leader as he will be expected to treat everyone without any discrimination. He also said he wished the election for a party leader will be a remedy to all the factions and internal party fights.
“All constituencies’ committees are ordered to nominate their contestants for the ABC leadership race and all names are expected to be submitted by 21 January 2022 latest before 16:00hrs,” Mr Hlaele’s circular further states.
Although there is still two more weeks before the deadline for the submission of candidates’ names, temperatures are already heating up in the ABC. This amid indications that Dr Majoro, Messrs Kabi, Rapapa and Ntsekele have all entered the race to succeed Mr Thabane.
Although Dr Majoro is premier and deputy leader of the ABC, his positions in both party and government have been tenuous. On 2 December 2021, the largely pro-Thabane NEC voted to recall him and replace him with Mr Kabi.
Announcing the decision, Mr Masoetsa said the party had decided to recall Dr Majoro following an outcry by the rank and file of the party as well as the general public over a plethora of issues including poor service delivery and the premier’s alleged failure to stop the high murder rates in the country over the course of his 19 months in power.
However, Dr Majoro refused to resign and make way for Mr Kabi, saying prime ministers are only removed through a no confidence vote in parliament and not by political parties.
The ABC’s initial reaction was to invite all political parties represented in parliament to a meeting to discuss the formation of a government of national unity (GNU) to replace Dr Majoro’s administration.
The proposed GNU meeting had initially been slated for 15 December 2021 at the AME Hall in Maseru. However, it had to be aborted after two of Dr Majoro’s loyalists, Keketso Lepheane and Tlali Mohapi, obtained a last-minute interim Constitutional Court order to stop it pending the finalisation of their application to permanently halt it from proceeding because it allegedly violated the constitution.
The duo had argued that the proposed GNU meeting was “treasonous” as it had been convened to “illegally” oust the prime minister.
However, the Constitutional Court bench comprising of Justices Molefi Makara, Keketso Moahloli and Fumane Khabo subsequently issued a final judgement dismissing Messrs Lepheane and Mohapi’s bid to permanently stop the meeting. The bench ruled that their fears that the political parties would engage in treasonous conduct “lacked merit.”
Despite the court victory, the Thabane faction abandoned the GNU plans as it had already emerged that the ex-premier and his allies did not have enough support to oust the Majoro administration. Deputy Prime Minister Mathibeli Mokhothu’s Democratic Congress (DC) and Professor Nqosa Mahao’s Basotho Action Party (BAP) both came out in opposition to the GNU, saying it was merely a selfish ploy by the Thabane faction to help it win its factional wars at the expense of the national interest.
The DC and BAP have a combined 37 seats, only three shy of the number required to stall a prime minister’s ouster. Given that other political parties were cagey about the idea of a GNU and that some ABC MPs, especially those already serving in Dr Majoro’s cabinet, were unlikely to support his overthrow for fear of losing their plum jobs, it would have been difficult to win support for the unity government idea even if the Thabane faction had convened the GNU meeting.
Unsurprisingly, the faction decided to abandon the GNU meeting and call a special conference to deal with Dr Majoro. But that too has been overtaken by events in light of Mr Thabane’s unexpected decision to quit as party leader.
Dr Majoro will now contest to replace him and all machinations to oust the premier will come to naught if he wins the leadership contest.
Dr Majoro’s Senior Private Secretary, Tlali Mohapi, confirmed that the premier would “definitely contest” the ABC top job.
Mr Mohapi said he was confident Dr Majoro would emerge victorious as he had “proven leadership qualities”.
“Speaking in my personal capacity and not on his behalf, I can confirm that Dr Majoro will be contesting the elections. I personally urged him to join the race and he did. He has accepted the challenge and we will dress him up in the bright shining colours of the ABC.
“Of all the candidates, I have decided to support him because he is a proven leader. He isn’t any less of a leader just because a certain clique within the party tried to recall him. I am optimistic that he will win,” Mr Mohapi said yesterday.
Dr Majoro will lock horns with Mr Kabi, the man he fired as agriculture minister after the prime minister refused to make way for him to take over his job in the wake of the recall effort last month. Mr Kabi had been water minister before he was moved to agriculture by Dr Majoro, in addition to having served as health minister under Mr Thabane.
As has become his modus operandi over the past year whenever he senses that the media wants him to respond to contentious issues, Mr Kabi did not answer his mobile phone when this publication repeatedly called him for comment yesterday.
However, the soft-spoken ABC deputy secretary general had already won the approval of the Thabane group as manifested in its decision to nominate him to replace Dr Majoro last month.
In an obvious sign that Mr Kabi remains the faction’s candidate, supporters of Mr Thabane, led by his controversial wife, ‘Maesiah, chanted Mr Kabi’s name as Mr Thabane was announcing his impending retirement. ‘Maesaiah even helped with sticking Mr Kabi’s posters to motor vehicles in a clear endorsement of his candidature to succeed Mr Thabane. It remains to be seen whether the support of the controversial ‘Maesaiah, who is largely blamed for Mr Thabane’s downfall, will be a boon or doom for Mr Kabi.
ABC chairperson Rapapa has also declared his intentions to take over the top job, making the contest a battle royale.
Mr Rapapa, who is also Communications, Science and Technology minister in Dr Majoro’s cabinet, will be hoping that luck will finally be on his side this time around. He was initially the NEC’s choice to replace Mr Thabane when the party forced the latter to step down as prime minister in May 2020. He, however, lost after the ABC parliamentary caucus insisted on voting on the issue. He lost to Dr Majoro by 26 votes to 18.
Nevertheless, he is brimming with confidence. He could not resist a dig at Dr Majoro and his other rivals, saying at some point they had all been “‘Maesaiah’s boys”.
He considers his to be an important mission to “reclaim the ABC from ‘Maesaiah’s purse” and reunite the party ahead of this year’s general elections.

“I am a man who stands for the truth and I have remained loyal to the ABC and always ready to protect it. There will always be factions in every party because people always have different opinions; it is just that the ABC differences are always in the limelight. But the party now needs an effective leader to take it forward. I am that leader.
“I am the only one out of the candidates who protected Majoro when they wanted to handover the government to a rival party. Now I will contest against him for the second time. We first competed to replace Ntate Thabane as prime minister in 2020 and I never held any grudges against him afterwards. We are a party and all that needs to happen is for one to accept defeat. I will go into the fight with my fighting stick held up high. I started campaigning a long time ago and I will win this contest.
“One major advantage I have against my competitors is that I have always stood up to protect the ABC. Their disadvantage is that all of them have been in ‘Maesaiah’s pocket. You will always find Ntsekele by ‘Maesaiah’s side even when she goes to court for her personal issues. Majoro plotted with her to get rid of (Professor Nqosa) Mahao while Kabi is currently conniving with her. ‘Maesaiah has been the primary source of ABC’s problems and people who want to remove the party from her purse will vote for me,” Mr Rapapa said. It also remains to be seen whether making the hugely unpopular ‘Maesaiah a campaign issue will work for Mr Rapapa.
During her time as first lady, ‘Maesaiah faced criticism over her abrasive style which saw her humiliating senior government officials, including ministers, at times publicly. She was accused of involving herself in key government issues despite that her role as first lady did not entitle her to such. Some labelled her the “real prime minister” in place of her ageing husband. She is now on bail over her alleged involvement in plotting the death of Mr Thabane’s ex-wife, Lipolelo, so she could fast track her ascendancy to the first ladyship. She is widely seen as the main cause of the downfall of the once wildly popular Mr Thabane, who was ousted as premier in May 2020.
On his part, Mr Ntsekele, long considered to be Mr Thabane’s blue-eyed boy, when he was still ABC secretary-general and water minister, and nicknamed Isaiah by ABC followers, who derisively call him ‘Maesaiah’s son, is also eyeing the top job even if this means competing against the Thabanes’ ‘new favourite’, Mr Kabi.
“I have been approached by some members of the party and by my constituency to run for the leadership. I have accepted the mandate and I would like to wish the other contestants luck.
“I also appeal to my fellow contestants to put our people and the country first by ensuring that we hold a peaceful election. Thereafter, we should all unite for the good of the party and its oneness,” Mr Ntsekele said.
Mr Hlaele, is known to harbour ambitions to succeed his father in law, hence his falling out with Prof Mahao, whom he had originally staunchly supported, after both were elected as secretary general and deputy leader respectively at the party’s 2019 elective conference. He was not answering his phone yesterday and could not be reached to confirm whether or not he will stand. Mr Maliehe, the former defence minister is seen as the dark horse, having also been initially favoured by ‘Maesaiah to take over from her husband. He too could not be reached for comment last night.
Because of the intense factionalism within the ABC and the despondency among its rank and file as the factions engaged in battles of attrition, it seems difficult at this stage to discern who is the clear front runner.

The post Battle Royale for ABC leadership!!! appeared first on Lesotho Times.

Staff Reporters 

Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane is unhappy with Prosecutor Shaun Abrahams’s no show at the treason trial of Development Planning Minister Selibe Mochoboroane, former army commander, Tlali Kamoli and others. Justice Sakoane said he may be forced to stop the trial and free the suspects. Mr Mochoboroane, Kamoli have been charged with treason and murder alongside army Captain Litekanyo Nyakane, Lance Corporals Motloheloa Ntsane and Leutsoa Motsieloa. Opposition leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, Mothetjoa Metsing is also an accused in the matter. However, he has failed to appear in court amid indications that he fled the country to avoid being tried. Justice Sakoane has since issued an arrest warrant against the fugitive Mr Metsing.

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Bereng Mpaki

THE Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) has appointed Lehlomela Mohapi its acting governor to replace Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, whose contract expired on 31 December 2021.

Dr Matlanyane’s term of office expired along with those of her two deputies, Masilo Makhetha and ‘Mathabo Makenete (first and second deputy respectively).

The CBL this week immediately tasked Mr Mohapi with leading the institution in implementing its three-year strategic plan which will run from 2022 until 2024.

The CBL said in a statement Mr Mohapi would also focus on enabling private sector investment for job creation purposes.

The 2022-2024 strategic plan is meant to align the CBL’s mandate to emerging changes in the operating environment such as the Covid-19 pandemic, economic conditions, technology diffusion, cyber threats and changing work patterns.

The strategic plan consists of six objectives with the first three addressing issues related to the economy and the (financial) sector, while the other three objectives address the bank’s capability, agility and sustainability.

“With the 2022-24 strategic plan in place, Mr Mohapi’s task is to lead the implementation of this strategy up to a point when he will pass the baton to the still-to-be-appointed substantive Governor,” the CBL said.

Mr Mohapi is also expected to lead the bank in creating an enabling environment for private sector investment for job creation.

“Jobs are a result of investment, and unemployment is the single most culpable cause of poverty. Ours as the bank is to put in place the bedrock of macroeconomic stability, specifically monetary and financial stability, upon which the foundations of prosperity can be laid.”

Born and raised in Ha-Moliboea, in Leribe, the 44-year-old is an experienced economist, who is the substantive chief economist and director of research of the CBL.

He was previously the executive secretary of the Universal Service Fund in the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA).

His experience in risk and governance includes a three-year term as the Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA’s) board chairperson.

Mr Mohapi was also previously a lecturer in the National University of Lesotho (NUL’s) Economics Department where he rose through the ranks to become the head of department.

His research work consists of many advisory reports he authored for the government as well as some for various international organisations. He has also written numerous academic articles some of which appear in respected journals like  the South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, Studies in Economics and Econometrics, The Journal of Business and Economics Studies and Journal of Social and Economic Policy among others.

He is also writing his first book, Taking the First Steps in Economics.

Mr Mohapi holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics from the NUL, a Master of Science (MSc) in Economics & Econometrics from the University of Manchester in the UK and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Heriot-Watt University (UK).

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Silence Charumbira

COMPLIMENTS of the New Year dear reader. I hope you had a restful and safe festive season.
We are starting this New Year on a disappointing note after hearing Gender, Youth, Sport and Recreation Minister, Likeleli Tampane’s statements regarding the senior national soccer team.
Tampane was on national television last week in a report about soccer tournaments held in her Senqu constituency last December. In the report, she then claimed that she would not support the senior national soccer team, Likuena, if there were no players from her constituency among the side’s ranks.
“These players are future Likuena players. And as minister of Sport, I will consider myself incompetent if players from my constituency cannot play for Likuena.
“I will not support Likuena if players from my place are not part of the team.”
And this week, the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) rightly said it was miffed by the comments.
I hold no brief for the minister but for me, this is one of the lowest that a public official can go. Tampane is a government minister who should be adept at public speaking. That she is minister responsible for sport, it is expected that she knows the ins and outs regarding selection of national teams.
It is also expected that she knows that government officials are not allowed to meddle in LeFA affairs.
LeFA this week articulated these expectations in simple and understandable language. But even then, it seems the minister is already spoiling for a fight threatening: “I am not aware of the statement and it is difficult to respond to it but if LeFA has anything they want to discuss (with me) they know I am always available. If they wanted any clarity regarding my statement, they could have approached me”.
“Now that they went on to release a statement without seeking any clarity, that means that there is a fight and I am ready for it.”
It remains unknown where the “fight” she refers to is coming from. The LeFA statement does not insult the minister but simply states facts.
I perfectly understand that it is election campaigning season and politicians tell all kinds of lies to potential voters to improve their chances of getting elected.
However, there must be a limit to the lies. Electioneering must be intelligent. Propaganda must evolve. The time for passive voters is long gone.
One may even argue that voters were never passive even when they could not comment and give feedback like they do now, thanks to social media. This because the vote, even back in the bygones, was still a response.
And if Tampane, and any other politician thinks so lowly of their constituents that they can accept any kind of hogwash said at rallies and other campaigning platforms, then they could be in for a bumpy ride.
Voters are not naïve and even if they were, reckless statements like the one Tampane made in December are dangerous. They create a legitimate expectation. What will she do if the same audience challenges her about the claims next time she faces them because it is a fact that she does not have a say on who is selected into the national team? What new lie will she tell?
Given, not everyone is eloquent but public officials must know that even when its election campaigning time, they must never say what they do not mean. In this day and age of social media, anything said anywhere can be broadcast to millions of people in seconds. There is seldom time to retract or correct a statement.
Even when you do, the damage would long have been done. People cannot “unhear” what they have already heard. What you intended to say may not always be the most important takeaway from a message but what the receiver of the information understands could prove disastrous.
That aside, Minister Tampane must be careful how she handles sporting matters. It does not serve her, neither does it serve the people she leads to fight with LeFA and any other sporting association. She leads a multi-faceted ministry, easily one with access to the largest groupings like sports, gender groups and the youth.
Improving her relations with groupings and associations could benefit her and her party too.

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Leemisa Thuseho

THE delayed Lesotho Basketball Association (LBA) National Basketball League (NBA) play-offs finals will resume this weekend, the association has said.
The finals were halted last December to accommodate the recently held African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games that were held in Maseru.
LBA public relations officer, Hopolang Hoala, told the Lesotho Times this week that all was set for the games to resume.
“After the long break which was caused by the Region 5 games, the play-offs are resuming this weekend,” Hoala said.
He also revealed that the play-offs finals will be incorporated into the “No to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Cyberbullying” Netball, Volleyball and Basketball Tournament.
The tournament will be played at Lehakoe Recreational and Cultural Centre, in Maseru from tomorrow until Sunday.
According to Hoala, the reason behind joining the two events was to increase the hype around the finals while also supporting the GBV and cyberbullying awareness initiative.
The NBA finals are between the league defending champions Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP) and Tornado 98ers.
LP are enjoying an upper hand as they are now leading 2-1 in the best of five series.
LP started the play-offs on a high note winning 49-40 in their first game last October. They went on to win their second game by 81-47 before Tornado 98ers registered their first win of the play-offs 43-38.
The champions only need to win their next game to successfully defend their title while a win for Tornado 98ers will see the campaign extending to the fifth match which will be the decider.
LP coach, Tumelo Mara, said his side was ready for the weekend challenge as he indicated that their mission was to defend their title.
“We are determined to defend our title. The individuals’ training sessions started last week while team sessions started this week,” Mara said.
This is the first time Tornado 98ers are playing in the finals but Mara said they were not taking them for granted as they fought hard to be there.
“We will not be taking any chances because we know our opponents will come highly motivated after winning the last game. But our mandate is simple, we win the next game and become champions.”
On his part, Tornado 98ers coach, Thabang Letlala, said his side was also looking forward to winning the last games as they were eying their first ever league title.
“LP is already one step ahead of us but we still stand a chance to fight and win the league, we just need to win the remaining games. If we lose the next game it will be over,” Letlala said.

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Leemisa Thuseho

METROPOLITAN Lesotho has donated off-the-field attire to the Lesotho Netball Association (LNA).
Handed over in Maseru this week to the association, the equipment is for the senior women’s team.
The attire, which includes tracksuits, t-shirts, golf shirts and shorts, is worth M30 000.
The equipment was initially supposed to be used by the team during the 2021 African Netball Championships that were held in Namibia from 9 to 16 November last year.
Unfortunately, Lesotho failed to make it to the tournament due to financial challenges.
Speaking during the handover, Seenyane Nthejane, the head of life business at Metropolitan, said the reason behind the donation was to respond to the team’s desire to look presentable at the tournament.
Despite the failure of the trip, they still needed to fulfil their promise as they are looking forward to a long relationship with the LNA, he said.
“The reason behind the donation was to respond to the need to need of the team,” Nthejane said.
“We were also doing that for the pride of our nation, we wanted our team to be presentable as we believed that would have also motivated the players.
“What also made it easy for us to work with the netball association is that it is one of the federations that are advocating for gender equality by simply giving women and men equal chances to play the sport.”
Nthejane also credited the association for the national under-20 women’s team’s bronze medal win in the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games in Maseru last December.
In receiving the attire, LNA president, ‘Mamotšabi Lekhabunyane, said they were grateful for the support from Metropolitan.
“We are very happy with the attire and hope that this is the beginning of a long relationship.
“We call on the rest of the corporate sector to invest in sports because it plays a significant in our societies like bringing peace and fighting issues like gender-based violence,” Lekhabunyane said.

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Leemisa Thuseho

LITŠITSO Motšeremeli has been appointed head of mission for Lesotho’s African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games.
Motšeremeli’s appointment was announced during the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC’s) annual general meeting (AGM) in Maseru on Sunday. The next AUSC Games will be held in Malawi from 2 to 11 December 2022. Lesotho hosted the previous edition last December in Maseru.
Although the games are held biennially, the Region 5 Council of Ministers decided to host back-to-back editions after the deferment of the Maseru edition from 2020 to last year on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Motšeremeli’s appointment was confirmed by the LSRC’s acting chief executive officer, Teboho Malataliana.
He said other names that will form the team’s leadership will be announced in due course.
“Yes, it is true that Ntate Litšitso has been appointed head of delegation for the Malawi games,” Malataliana told Lesotho Times this week.
“We have also submitted our budget to the Gender, Youth, Sport and Recreation Ministry.”
Meanwhile, Motšeremeli is expected to start his role anytime this week because the LSRC wants the team to be prepared early.
The age limit for the December games was reduced from under-20 to under-18. This was done to ensure that most of the athletes who participated in the games last December will still be eligible for this year’s edition.
This means that Lesotho already has the bulk of the teams in place.
On his part, Motšeremeli said he was delighted with the appointment.
“I am delighted to be appointed to the role as that indicates the level of trust the sport leadership has in me. I do not want to break that trust.
“I am looking forward to meeting with all sports leaders from national federations, our mother bodies as well as the Sport ministry to map the way forward and see how best we can work together in preparing a competitive team,” Motšeremeli said.
His biggest challenge would be accessing resources for the team. In the last edition, the team’s preparations were shambolic because of the delayed release of resources. Athletes ended up participating in the games without ever getting into camp.
Funds for the preparations were only released two months before the games.
Despite the poor preparations, Lesotho punched above its weight finishing third in the overall medal table with 18 gold medals, 17 silver and 17 bronze medals adding up to 52 medals.
South Africa came first with 75 medals (37 gold, 27 silver, 11 bronze), while in second was Botswana with 64 medals (24 gold, 21 silver and 19 bronze).
Therefore, Motšeremeli said their work was to ensure that Lesotho either maintains its third position or improves.
Motšeremeli is also the secretary general for the Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR).

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