Tefo Tefo

THE fate of 23 Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) officers facing mutiny charges hangs in the balance after the Court Martial was postponed indefinitely on Tuesday with no clarity on what will happen next.

The 23 soldiers stand accused of plotting to topple the LDF command and were arrested between May and June 2015. The officers were all subsequently released from the Maseru Maximum Security Prison where they had been detained and placed under “open arrest”.

The LDF has claimed the alleged mutiny plot was masterminded by former army commander, Lt-Gen Maaparankoe Mahao who was shot dead by his colleagues who had come to arrest him for the suspected mutiny in Mokema on 25 June 2015.

However, a Southern African Development Community (SADC) Commission of Inquiry into the incidents surrounding the former army chief’s killing concluded that the LDF’s case against the alleged mutineers was “highly suspect” and recommended that they be granted amnesty by the government.

This was echoed by Lesotho’s development partners including the United States and European Union, which called on Maseru to heed the recommendation to grant amnesty to the accused mutineers.

The Americans had stipulated the release of the detained soldiers as one of the benchmarks for renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) free trade facility and a developmental aid grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

The government halted the court martial last week with Communications Minister telling a local publication they were yet to decide on the next step.

However, Attorney Tumisang Mosotho, who is one of the lawyers representing the 23 officers, told the Lesotho Times this week that they only received a message that the case would not proceed on Sunday –two days before the scheduled date of the Court Martial.

“We were only informed that the case will not proceed,” Atty Mosotho said, adding: “We were told that we would be informed as to when the case would proceed.”

Efforts to contact Chief Molapo yesterday were fruitless as his phones were unreachable.

Tefo Tefo

THE Lesotho Congress for Democracy’s (LCD) petition seeking the nullification of the 3 June 2017 elections results for four constituencies has taken a new turn with the party withdrawing its complaint in two constituencies and offering to pay the costs of suit to the respondents.

A panel of three judges yesterday postponed the case to 31 July 2017 to give the LCD’s lawyers time to consider whether to pursue their case as is, take another route or even withdraw the case altogether.

This was after a fierce argument ensued between lawyers representing the LCD and the respondents over the merits of the case.

The LCD and its Deputy Secretary-General Mpiti Mosiuoa filed an election petition before the High Court on 6 July 2017 challenging the legitimacy of the elections in four constituencies namely, Matlakeng #10, Matsieng #45, Mphosong #7 and Thaba-Phatšoa #8.

Mr Mosiuoa contested under the LCD banner in Tšoanamakhulo #25 constituency and lost to the All Basotho Convention (ABC).

ABC legislators for the constituencies, Moshe Leoma, ‘Matšepo Ramakoae, Libe George Motšoane and Mahala Molapo were cited as fourth to seventh respondents respectively in the application.

Other respondents were the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Attorney-General (AG) Tšokolo Makhethe and the ABC as first, second and third respondents respectively.

The LCD alleges some procedural flaws and irregularities ahead and during the elections.

However, the LCD and Mr Mosiuoa yesterday tendered the costs of suit to the respondents after withdrawing complaints in Matsieng and Mphosong constituencies as well as AG Makhethe as one of the respondents.

During the argument between the opposing sides’ lawyers, the respondents argued that the case should be dismissed for lack of standing.

Lawyers for the IEC and the ABC raised a question of law that the High Court, which sat as a court of disputed returns, had no powers to preside over a complaint about the voters’ registration process.

They also argued that the LCD could only lodge the case before the court if illegal practices had occurred and not about elections procedures.

On the allegation of voting registration flaws, lawyers for the IEC and the ABC argued the complainants could have raised an objection to the IEC’s tribunal. They averred that the party could then take the matter up with the High Court only if they were not satisfied with the tribunal’s ruling.

For their part, the LCD and Mr Mosiuoa — through their lawyer Advocate Poulo ‘Nono – insisted that they used the proper channels in lodging their complaint.

The High Court then postponed the case to 31 July 2017 for the LCD lawyers to consider their options.

The case is before a panel of three judges namely; Justices ‘Maseshophe Hlajoane, Molefi Makara and Sakoane Sakoane.

The LCD lodged the petition despite the party signing a document accepting the election results shortly after the announcement of the election results.

The LCD is also a signatory to a letter written by six political parties to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) after the announcement of the election results accepting the outcome of the polls.

However, in the same letter, the parties raised concerns that include alleged irregularities in the election registration process.

The six parties called on SADC to conduct a forensic audit on the voters’ roll as their alleged some irregularities.

The six parties that signed a letter are the Democratic Congress, LCD, Popular Front for Democracy, National Independent Party, Marematlou Freedom Party and Lesotho People’s Congress.

The six parties formed the previous seven parties’ coalition government along with Basotho Congress Party which did not sign the letter of complaint.

SADC has not yet responded to the letter.

The elections produced a new four party coalition government comprising of the ABC, AD, Basotho National Party and Reformed Congress of Lesotho.

. . . accuses govt of politicising sector with Tšooana, Molibeli appointments

Pascalinah Kabi

THE Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) has accused the government of politicising the security sector by appointing former police commissioner, Khothatso Tšooana, as Police and Public Safety ministry principal secretary (PS).

The opposition party has also taken issue with Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Holomo Molibeli’s appointment to head the police’s Crime Investigation Department (CID), vowing to scuttle the envisioned security sector reforms as long as the two men retained their new positions.

For its part, the Prime Minister Thomas Thabane-led government insists it is depoliticising the security sector with the appointments, adding that sabotaging the security sector reforms would not be in the best interests of the country.

The LCD and six other parties were part of a governing coalition that was ousted after the 3 June 2017 elections by a four-party alliance led by Dr Thabane’s All Basotho Convention, the Alliance of Democrats, Basotho National Party and Reformed Congress of Lesotho.

Since being inaugurated last month, the Dr Thabane-led government has been consolidating power by purging and replacing senior officials considered vestiges of the Pakalitha Mosisili-led regime. Apart from the LCD, the former government also consisted of Dr Mosisili’s Democratic Congress, Marematlou Freedom Party, Basotho Congress Party, National Independent Party, Lesotho People’s Congress and Popular Front for Democracy.

Already, Dr Thabane has fired Government Secretary Lebohang Ramohlanka and also sent Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) Commissioner Molahlehi Letsoepa on an involuntary 90-day leave, which is usually a precursor for dismissal.

The shakeup in the LMPS also saw DCP Molibeli being appointed DCP in the CID, amid mounting speculation he was earmarked to replace Commissioner Letsoepa once the top cop was dismissed.

Last week, Dr Thabane ended the tenure of Colonel Tumo Lekhooa as National Security Service director-general, barely a year after his appointment for a three-year term.

Colonel Lekhooa was dispatched to his old job as Director of Military Intelligence at the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).

The premier also appointed Mr Tšooana as Police and Public Safety ministry PS last week after the former top cop had been sent on early retirement in 2015 by the Mosisili government which deemed him unfit to hold office. Mr Tšooana had been appointed as LMPS commissioner in January 2014 by Dr Thabane, during the latter’s first tenure as prime minister.

Among the many charges levelled against him were incompetence as well as polarising and politicising the LMPS.

Mr Tšooana had challenged his dismissal in the courts of law, arguing that it was politically-motivated. He was also not paid his severance benefits by the previous government despite taking the latter to court over the matter.

LCD spokesperson, Teboho Sekata, this week told the Lesotho Times Mr Tšooana’s appointment compromised “the previous government’s efforts” to depoliticise the security sector.

He said such efforts included brokering peaceful relations between the LMPS and LDF who were at loggerheads during Dr Thabane’s first tenure as premier from 2012 to 2015.

The sour relations between the two agencies culminated in the 30 August 2014 LDF raid on three key Maseru police stations which Dr Thabane described as a coup attempt.

Police Sub-Inspector Ramahloko was killed during the army raid which the military said was a special operation to foil a LMPS plan to give civilians firearms for use during a LCD street protest scheduled for 1 September 2014.

Dr Thabane and Mr Tšooana fled the country ahead of the raid, saying they had been alerted of a plot to assassinate them orchestrated by the LDF. The LDF has denied the allegation.

However, after Dr Mosisili’s government took power on 17 March 2015, the LDF and LMPS collaborated on a number of operations after seemingly ironing out their differences.

Mr Sekata attributed the thawing in the two agencies’ frosty relations to Mr Tšooana’s dismissal as LMPS commissioner.

“Ntate Tšooana played a huge role in politicising the LMPS and sowing divisions between the police and the army,” he said.

“Bringing him back as the Ministry of Police and Public Safety’s chief accounting officer is undoing the good work we did. The ministry he was appointed to administer is the same sector that he politicised.”

Mr Sekata said it was also “bizarre” that DCP Molibeli had bounced back after having applied for early retirement in April 2016.

DCP Molibeli had resigned in light of pressure from LCD members, including Mr Sekata, who accused him of disrespecting their leader and then deputy premier Mothetjoa Metsing.

The LCD officials went on radio stations and challenged DCP Molibeli on the utterances he allegedly made in 2014 regarding Mr Metsing when he was president of the Lesotho Police Staff Association and a senior superintendent.

DCP Molibeli allegedly said he did not consider Mr Metsing the deputy premier due to his lack of support for the police in their struggle for a better salary and rank structure and new uniforms during the farewell party for Mr Tšooana.

The LCD also accused Mr Molibeli of campaigning for the ABC and urging the police to vote for the party in the 28 February 2015 snap elections.

This was at a time when Mr Metsing and Dr Thabane were involved in a bitter power-struggle which eventually led to the collapse of the ABC, LCD and BNP government and early elections on 28 February 2015.

“Ntate Molibeli resigned from the police force and has miraculously returned as head of the CID. Clearly, the current government is working hard to politicise the service again,” Mr Sekata said.

“This is the same man who publicly refused to respect the then deputy prime minister during a party for then police commissioner Tšooana and went on to tell the police that the ABC was going to win the 28 February 2015 elections.

“He is now back in the police service, and the position to which he has been appointed is meant to prepare him for the earmarked position of commissioner of police.”

Mr Sekata said the LCD would scuttle the envisioned security sector reforms as long as the two men retained their new positions.

The government has committed to implement a host of reforms encompassing the security, legislative, judiciary, constitutional and media sectors among others to bring about political and social stability.

“We are not going to allow the government to politicise this agency, and as long as Tšooana and Molibeli are holding those positions, we will not vote in support of the security reforms. The reforms will not see the light of the day in parliament with those two men in the police,” Mr Sekata asserted.

“As the loyal opposition of His Majesty, we will use our parliamentary voting powers to punish this government over this decision and ensure that this government is overthrown as soon as possible.”

The LCD has 11 seats in parliament, and the party has agreed to partner with the DC – which has 29 seats – in the National Assembly.

Responding to Mr Sekata’s remarks, Dr Thabane’s spokesperson, Thabo Thakalekoala, said the LCD was misdirecting itself since the premier was within his rights to make the appointments.

“Ntate Tšooana is no longer an active member of the LMPS and but a principal secretary in the Ministry of Police and Public Safety,” he said.

“The prime minister used his discretionary powers to appoint him in that position based on merit and nothing more.”

Mr Thakalekoala rubbished allegations the government was reversing the gains made by the previous administration to depoliticise the agency.

“What the present government and the prime minister are actually doing is to professionalise the LMPS. On the issue of Ntate Molibeli, the prime minister also used his discretionary powers to appoint him on a contract basis. This is not the first time this has happened in the history of this country.

“The prime minister saw it fit to appoint him (DCP Molibeli) so that he can use his skills to help professionalise the police and it does not make sense for the LCD to behave as if this is the first time this has happened.

“They have been in government and know very well how it is run. Threatening the government will not get the LCD anywhere. The LCD should work together with the government to professionalise the police.”

Efforts to contact Mr Tšooana and DCP Molibeli were fruitless yesterday.

Pascalinah Kabi

ACTING Police Commissioner Keketso Monaheng has recalled 21 Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) officers who were sacked for various reasons by Commissioner Molahlehi Letsoepa.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Clifford Molefe yesterday confirmed that the 21 cops reported for duty yesterday as ordered by a memo from the LMPS human resources office.

“All officers reported to work today as they were instructed,” Supt Molefe said.

Issued on Tuesday this week, the memo is signed by Inspector Marou from the LMPS human resources office.

Part of it reads: “I have been instructed by Commissioner of Police, as I hereby do, to recall for duty all police officers whose names appear on the attached list. They are expected to resume their duty on the 19^th July 2017.

“By copy of this Memo, all Dispols concerned are expected to relay this message to mentioned police officers today (Tuesday).”

The LMPS members include Inspectors Moraleli Motloli, Makobane and Matekane; Lance Sergeants Letsipa and Ramakatsa; Private Constables (PC) Hlalele, Matoko, Tšita, Ntlou, Rakhupu, Sehloho, Maliba, Khemisi, Lebohang Motlatsi, Phakoe, Hloaisi, Teba, Nzamane, Motlomelo and Ramahloko as well as Woman Police Constable (WPC) ‘Mabohlokoa Makotoko —  were fired by Commissioner Letsoepa.

The top cop – who was appointed by the Pakalitha Mosisili-led former government on 3 November 2015 – has since been sent on an involuntary 90-day leave by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane.

Sources privy to the matter have told the Lesotho Times the leave was meant to ease Commissioner Letsoepa out of the post. Deputy Commissioner of Police Holomo Molibeli has been tipped to replace Commissioner Letsoepa after his appointment to head the police’s Crime Investigation Department.

Inspector Motloli, who was also Lesotho Staff Police Association (LEPOSA) General Secretary, was dismissed from the service in April this year for refusing to take orders from his superiors.

He was dismissed shortly after demanding that Commissioner Letsoepa and his advisory board respond to Alliance of Democrats leader and now Deputy Prime Minister Monyane Moleleki’s allegations that police recruitment was riddled with nepotism, partisanship and corruption.

Mr Moleleki, who is formerly a Police minister, accused the Democratic Congress and Lesotho Congress for Democracy parties of staffing the security forces with their supporters. The parties have since denied the allegation.

WPC Makotoko was dismissed from the police service in March this year for alleged misconduct.

She subsequently filed an application before the High Court on 31 March 2017 for an order to nullify the police commissioner’s decision on the grounds that she was not afforded a hearing before she was dismissed.

WPC Makotoko was the main witness in the ongoing case to investigate the whereabouts of Police Constable Mokalekale Khetheng who went missing in March last year at Hlotse Police Station.

PC Motlatsi and 10 other officers were fired from the service for allegedly participating in political activities in contravention of police regulations.

. . . as search for new AG begins

Limpho Sello

ATTORNEY-GENERAL (AG) Tšokolo Makhethe’s tenure of office ends on 29 August 2017, capping a career of more than three decades in the legal profession.

AG Makhethe yesterday told the Lesotho Times he would reach the 60-year mandatory retirement age on 13 November this year, adding that he opted to take his leave days starting from 29 August 2017.

The AG is the state’s principal legal officer who represents the country in legal proceedings and gives legal advice to the government.

Asked why he decided to go on leave ahead of his retirement, AG Makhethe said: “Government does not pay for leave days, so I decided to make use of them while awaiting my retirement.

“However, to be fair, after making this announcement, the situation can change if the concerned parties sit down to discuss issues. But should everything stay as is, I will go on leave on 29 August.”

He started off his career in the AG’s office as a crown counsel on 20 May 1986 and rose through the ranks until being appointed acting AG in 2006. He was appointed as substantive AG in July 2007.

However, AG Makhethe was ousted in 2014 by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane during his first tenure for having exceeded the age of 55 years.

After he sought the High Court’s intervention, an arrangement was made for a settlement between AG Makhethe and the government.

AG Makhethe was reinstated to his position but the Thabane government ordered him to go on leave, a decision which he unsuccessfully challenged in the High Court.

He eventually resumed his duties beyond the tenure of Dr Thabane’s first government, which ended after the 28 February 2015 parliamentary elections.

AG Makhethe said he was “very satisfied” with the work he had done, adding that he was yet to think of his next move post retirement.

“First and foremost, I will give myself time to rest. And when that is done, I will consider options in the legal profession since I remain a lawyer,” he said.

“I will only make a decision after I have given myself time to rest.”

He bade farewell to heads of government departments in a memo issued on Tuesday.

Part of the memo, titled “Leave Pending Retirement”, reads:  “Please take notice that with effect from 29 August 2017, I will be on leave of office pending statutory compulsory retirement from office, which retirement takes effect on 01 November 2017.

“You shall accordingly relay the information to members of your staff. It has been an enriching and beneficial experience working with a wonderful, disciplined, loyal and dedicated team of public officers. Keep it up, in the interest of the nation.”

Contacted for comment yesterday, Dr Thabane’s spokesperson Thabo Thakalekoala said the premier was yet to decide on AG Makhethe’s replacement.

“The office of the attorney-general is very important and cannot be left vacant. However, the person who will make a decision on the matter is the prime minister. So we will just have to wait see what choices he will make,” Mr Thakalekoala said.

Meanwhile, political analyst Mafa Sejanamane has said AG Makhethe’s tenure ignitds debate on whether he was a professional senior civil servant or “a political hack” because of his advice to successive governments.

“Almost all the time, throughout his career, his recommendations to the government seemed to serve certain political ends,” said Prof Sejanamane.

“For instance, I still have my doubts about his professionalism in the ouster of Professor Kananelo Mosito from the helm of the Court of Appeal.”

Justice Mosito resigned on 13 December 2016 after exhausting all legal means to be reinstated after being suspended on 12 February 2016 to pave the way for impeachment proceedings against him.

He had been appointed Court of Appeal president in January 2015, taking over from Justice Michael Ramodibedi who had also resigned after losing a protracted legal battle to stop his impeachment for alleged abuse of office.

However, the government ignored Justice Mosito’s resignation letter and fired him from the presidency of the Court of Appeal on 23 December 2016.

Justice Mosito accused AG Makhethe of going “out of his way” to select three retired judges from South Africa to serve as members of his impeachment tribunal.

“Whether guilty or not, no one can expect judges selected by the complainant attorney-general to do justice in his cause,” Justice Mosito had said.

Prof Sejanamane said AG Makhethe’s advice to the government to disregard parliament after then Finance minister Tlohang Sekhamane’s failure to table budgetary estimates ahead of the 1 March 2017 no-confidence motion also ranked high among his questionable decisions.

“Even if we don’t point to anything else that he did, the one about the budget is really abhorrent because parliament was swept aside with the Finance minister becoming superior to the National Assembly.

“That is unsustainable advice,” he added.

Nthatuoa Koeshe

NEWLY-APPOINTED Senate Vice-President Tšepo Monethi’s story can be best described as that of steely determination which has ensured his rise to one of the top positions in the country’s governance institutions.

Mr Monethi was elected vice-president along with Senate President, Mamonaheng Mokitimi on 4 July, 2017.

The latter succeeded Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso.

Although he was coy about revealing his age, Mr Monethi is believed to be the youngest to occupy the post.

He was born in Ha Tsosane, Maseru and attended Motimposo Primary and later proceeded to Khubetsoana High schools.

Thereafter, he enrolled with the Institute of Business studies in South Africa and obtained a Higher Diploma in Business Administration.

In 2001, he lectured at the Centre for Further Studies which was then based at the BNP Centre.

“The institute opened doors for Basotho children who wanted to further their studies in South Africa,” Mr Monethi said.

Two years later, Mr Monethi was elected National Secretary of the National Youth League of the Basotho National Party (BNP) and became youth league until 2010.

“I was at one time the BNP Public Relations Officer but unfortunately I lost the elections within the party in 2013 so I had to step down.”

He was however, elected deputy secretary general of the national executive committee in 2016, a position he currently holds.

“I first contested in national elections in 2007 in the Mosalemane constituency in the Berea district. I became a parliamentarian in 2012 and I was the only newcomer in that eighth parliament who was a member of a business committee.”

He subsequently represented Lesotho at the Pan-African Parliament and was part of their team of observers in elections in countries such as Zimbabwe, Mali and Algeria.

He lost his parliamentary seat after the 2015 elections in Lesotho and took up commercial farming which had been his first love while growing up.

Mr Monethi paid tribute to his late grandfather for mentoring and instilling a love for politics.

“My grandfather had so much trust in me and believed I would make it far in politics and that goes for the rest of the family who have been at my side throughout my political journey.”

He said he was deeply humbled by his latest election at the senate and vowed to do his best.

“I am going to work with chiefs who are a privileged class of citizens by virtue of birth. As a commoner they are my principals. I will have to respect them and at the same time lead them.”

He also said he was confident he would work well with senate president, Mamonaheng Mokitimi, who he described as suitable for the top job.

“I am a very controversial person and I do not believe in choosing women for the sake of it. I want us to choose women on merit and I know that our senate president is fully capable.

“She (Ms Mokitimi) will be able to move this house forward. Not because she is a woman but because she has the capabilities.”

He said while the senate was underrated by many people, it however, played a crucial role in the legislative process through oversight, scrutinising and making the necessary amendments to bills in an impartial manner.

He said he and Ms Mokitimi will give full attention to the Southern African Development Community recommendations for constitutional, governance and security sector reforms to achieve lasting stability in Lesotho.

SADC made the recommendations in 2016.

’Marafaele Mohloboli

FORMER premier Pakalitha Mosisili’s son, Rethabile, has been fired from the influential and plum post of chief delegate for the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission (LHWC), as the Prime Minister Thomas Thabane-led government steps up its purge of vestiges of the previous regime.

Mr Mosisili, who had been controversially appointed to the post in April this year, has been sent back to his previous position as deputy principal secretary (PS) in the Water Affairs ministry.

Acting Government Secretary, Emmanuel Lesoma, this week confirmed the development in an interview with the Lesotho Times, saying Mr Mosisili’s appointment to the influential post had not been approved by the Public Service Commission and thus null and void.

“Mr Mosisili was served with a letter to refer him back to his former post,” he said.

“The reason being that his secondment to the post of chief delegate was never approved by the Public Service Commission as ought to have been the case.

“To date, there has not been such an approval, which is a procedural requirement.”

When contacted yesterday, Mr Mosisili refused to comment on the matter, telling this reporter: “I am busy eating, don’t disturb me.”

The LHWC is the largest infrastructure partnership between the Lesotho and South African governments, and consists of three delegates from each of the two nations. The commission is tasked with implementing the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) — a multiphase initiative comprising several dams and tunnels in Lesotho and South Africa.

The LHWC is accountable to the two governments for the overall implementation of the LHWP. It advises, monitors and has approval powers on activities of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) and the operations and maintenance function of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority, the two authorities charged with the implementation of the LHWP in Lesotho and South Africa respectively.

It is currently tasked with overseeing the estimated M26 billion second phase of the LHWP aimed at alleviating South Africa’s acute fresh water shortages.

Mr Mosisili was appointed to the post in April this year by then Water Affairs minister Kimetso Mathaba. Sources privy to the matter had told this publication Mr Mathaba was initially reluctant to appoint Mr Mosisili. However, the sources said Dr Mosisili had to intervene by “encouraging” the minister to appoint his son.

The appointment, which was made after the 1 March 2017 parliamentary no-confidence vote on the Dr Mosisili-led seven-party coalition government, ignited an outcry from opposition parties and other stakeholders.

They accused Dr Mosisili of deliberately placing relatives in strategic areas of the government to retain control even if he were to lose power in the 3 June 2017 National Assembly elections.

The polls brought Dr Thabane’s All Basotho Convention and three other parties to power after they won 63 seats, enough to form government.

Dr Mosisili’s DC and six other parties that constituted the former government could only muster 47 seats collectively, which were 14 short of the 61-seat threshold to form government.

Critics of the appointment also questioned Mr Mosisili’s qualifications for the position given that he is a lawyer while the previous officeholders were Physics Professor Lebohang Moleko and Engineer Charles Putsoane.

They argued that the holder of the position of LHWC chief delegate needed to have the technical knowhow to meaningfully contribute to the implementation of the projects.

They also pointed to the M180 000 the younger Mosisili was allegedly taking home monthly as a sign of profligacy, which together with the M45 000 he made as a government-appointed Letšeng Diamond Mine board member would amount to a M225 000 monthly income.

The controversy surrounding the appointment was compounded by the fact that Mr Mosisili’s predecessor, Mr Putsoane, had left the post after a bitter fight to remove him before the expiry of his term in March 2017. The fight to remove Mr Putsoane had been spearheaded by Mr Mosisili last year while he was an acting PS in the Water Affairs ministry.

Mr Putsoane, who was suspended during his last days as LHWC chief delegate, eventually negotiated an exit package in the region of M6 million with the government.

For his part, Mr Mathaba had responded to the allegations by saying the appointment “came as a surprise” to Dr Mosisili who he said had no knowledge of the development prior to it being made public.

Political analysts had accused Dr Mosisili of deploying family members and allies to strategic areas so that he could “rule from the grave”, referring to retaining power even after leaving office.

However, since its inauguration last month, Dr Thabane’s government has hit the ground running in firing and replacing senior officials aligned to the previous regime.

Earlier this month, the premier fired Government Secretary Lebohang Ramohlanka and ended the tenure of Colonel Tumo Lekhooa as National Security Service director-general, barely a year after his appointment for a three-year term.

Colonel Lekhooa was dispatched to his old job as Director of Military Intelligence at the Lesotho Defence Force.

Dr Thabane has also sent Lesotho Mounted Police Service Commissioner Molahlehi Letsoepa on an involuntary 90-day leave and issued the top cop a “show cause” letter for why he should not be dismissed this week.

Lesotho Correctional Service Commissioner, ‘Matefo Makhalemele, has also been sent on a 57-day forced leave.

Meanwhile, all PSs appointed by the Mosisili regime were sent on leave this week as a prelude to their dismissal.

Acting Government Secretary Emmanuel Lesoma

 . . . as eight challenge dismissal

Pascalinah Kabi

PRINCIPAL Secretaries (PSs) appointed by the previous regime have been sent on a 40-day leave pending the termination of their contracts in yet another decisive move by the Prime Minister Thomas Thabane-led government to consolidate power.

However, eight of the PSs have challenged the decision, vowing to stay put until the expiration of their original three-year contracts.

The PSs, who are the administrative heads and chief accounting officers of government departments, are the latest senior officials to get their “marching orders” after Dr Thabane fired Government Secretary Lebohang Ramohlanka and ended the tenure of Colonel Tumo Lekhooa as National Security Service director-general earlier this month.

Colonel Lekhooa was dispatched to his old job as Director of Military Intelligence at the Lesotho Defence Force.

Dr Thabane also sent Lesotho Mounted Police Service Commissioner Molahlehi Letsoepa on an involuntary 90-day leave and issued the top cop a “show cause” letter for why he should not be dismissed this week.

Lesotho Correctional Service Commissioner, ‘Matefo Makhalemele, has also been sent on a 57-day forced leave.

In a letter issued on Monday by Acting Government Secretary Emmanuel Lesoma, the PSs are instructed to start the 40-day leave with immediate effect which would end on 15 September 2017.

Most of the PSs, who number in the twenties, were appointed in September 2015 by Dr Mosisili, while others were reshuffled and hired over the course of 2016.

They were initially scheduled to leave office after the 3 June 2017 National Assembly elections according to their initial contracts.

However, Dr Mosisili’s government renewed their contracts by three months ahead of the polls, a move which was deemed by the new coalition government as a tactic to throw spanners in its operations.

The elections resulted in a hung parliament, with Dr Thabane – who is also All Basotho Convention leader — forming a coalition government with the Alliance of Democrats (AD), Basotho National Party and Reformed Congress of Lesotho.

The Dr Mosisili-led seven-party coalition lost power after only managing to muster 47 seats to the new government’s 63 seats. The threshold for forming government in the 120-seat National Assembly is 61 seats.

The letter also cites a meeting Mr Lesoma had with the PSs on Tuesday last week in which he expressed the intention to send them on leave.

The Lesotho Times has seen one of the letters, which is titled “Leave of Absence” and reads: “Reference is made to the meeting held in the Government Secretary’s Boardroom on 18^th July, 2017 and the discussions that ensued on the above captioned subject matter.

“Kindly note that the coalition government has decided that you proceed on leave of 40 working days starting from 24^th July, 2017. The 40 days include your pending annual leave days.”

Dr Thabane’s spokesperson, Thabo Thakalekoala, yesterday confirmed the development, adding that the premier had since appointed three new PSs.

“Ambassador Nkopane Monyane has been appointed as Foreign Affairs and International Relations PS, Mothabathe Hlalele as Public Works and Transport PS while ‘Mataeli Sekhantšo is Economics PS in Cabinet,” Mr Thakalekoala said.

However, eight of the PSs shown the door challenged the decision soon after the boardroom meeting last week. In a letter to Mr Lesoma penned on the PSs’ behalf by their lawyers, Molati Chambers, they state that are not going to “any leave nor anywhere”.

The eight are Home Affairs PS Borenahabokhethe Sekonyela, Public Service PS Lebohang Moreke, Justice PS Libeso Mapulumo Mosisili, Mining PS ‘Makhojane Monyane, Development Planning PS Majakathata Mokoena-Thakhisi, Defence and National Security PS ‘Mampho Kotelo-Molaoa, Cabinet Administration PS Makalo Theko and Small Business Development, Cooperatives and Marketing PS Motseki Mofammere.

The eight PSs argue in a letter dated 19 July 2017 that they were employed on three-year contracts “in terms of section 11 (2) of the Public Service Act 2005 which provides that the Government Secretary and the Principal Secretaries shall hold office for a period of three years”.

They argue that their contracts were forcibly amended “mid-stream”.

“. . . mid-stream the duration of their contracts, they were made to sign unlawful addendums to their employment contracts which in some instances were signed while in other instances were not signed,” reads the letter.

While acknowledging attending the board room meeting in which they were informed of the government’s meeting to send them on leave, the PSs assert that they are staying put.

“We advise that clients are not going to any leave or anywhere.

“Clients shall execute their duties until (the) expiration of their respective contracts.

“Clients shall further claim renewal of their contracts upon reaching the termination date.”

The lawyers add: “In the event that you wish to communicate any further or make a proposal to clients which does not in any way put them at a worse off position than they would be at were their respective contracts to terminate at their maturity date, kindly conduct us accordingly.”

In a previous interview with this paper, AD spokesperson and National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Teboho Lehloenya, accused the former Mosisili government of attempting to sabotage the new administration by making controversial last-minute appointments to key positions and extending the PSs’ contracts.

Dr Mosisili’s son, Rethabile, was appointed to the influential and plum post of chief delegate for the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission (LHWC) in April this year despite a 1 March 2017 parliamentary no-confidence vote on the then governing seven-party coalition.

Mr Mosisili was this week fired from the post and sent back to his previous position as deputy PS in the Water Affairs ministry.

“This is manufactured. There was no need for the former prime minister to call an election in a manner that he did. It was not only that, it was also the appointments to the various offices and in our view he did that to frustrate the incoming government,” Mr Lehloenya said.

“So we were thrown into the deep end and our role is to swim and we cannot afford to sink because if we do the country will be in disarray.”

. . . as tracking devices also found on PM wife’s official vehicles 

Pascalinah Kabi

HIDDEN electronic surveillance equipment has been discovered in Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s office, with some of the devices having been planted under his desk and near his landline telephone, the Lesotho Times has learnt.

Sources close the matter say tracking devices were also found on the official vehicles for Dr Thabane’s wife – ‘MaIsiah Thabane – of which the premier’s security detail were not aware.

The sources also said staff at the prime minister’s Qhobosheaneng Complex-based office in Maseru discovered on Monday that the biometric scanner, which is located at the entrance to check people wanting to meet Dr Thabane as a security measure, was also not functioning.

Dr Thabane’s Press Attaché, Thabo Thakalekoala, told this publication yesterday the premier remained “unshaken” by the discovery although he was concerned about his security.

He also stressed the sensitivity of the matter, saying information about the premier’s security should not be made public.

“It is true that there were bugging devices found in the prime minister’s office and we are deeply disappointed and furious as the Office of the Prime Minister that the information regarding this sensitive matter has been leaked,” Mr Thakalekoala said.

“Whoever divulged that information was very irresponsible because it will further compromise the PM’s security since we are currently assessing the whole security situation for the PM and his wife.”

He said a statement on the matter would soon be issued, and appealed to the nation to remain calm.

“There is no need to panic because the situation remains under control as far as the PM and his family’s security are concerned,” added Mr Thakalekoala.

The extraordinary development comes in the wake of a concerted restructuring of the security sector by the Dr Thabane-led four-party coalition government since its inauguration last month.

Dr Thabane’s All Basotho Convention formed a coalition government with the Alliance of Democrats, Basotho National Party and Reformed Congress of Lesotho after the 3 June 2017 parliamentary elections resulted in a hung parliament.

They ousted a seven-party coalition government led by former premier Pakalitha Mosisili which had been inaugurated on 17 March 2015.

Earlier this month, Dr Thabane ended the tenure of Colonel Tumo Lekhooa as National Security Service director-general and dispatched him to his old job as Director of Military Intelligence at the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).

Dr Thabane also sent Lesotho Mounted Police Service Commissioner Molahlehi Letsoepa on an involuntary 90-day leave and issued the top cop a “show cause” letter for why he should not be dismissed this week.

Lesotho Correctional Service Commissioner, ‘Matefo Makhalemele, was also been sent on a 57-day forced leave last week.

The restructuring, which has also seen the dismissal of Government Secretary Lebohang Ramohlanka and the sending of principal secretaries appointed by the previous regime on a 40-day leave – pending the termination of their contracts – is part of a strategy to consolidate power.

Ahead of last month’s elections, Dr Mosisili was accused of deploying family members and allies to strategic areas so that he could “rule from the grave”, referring to retaining power even after leaving office.

Political scientist, Kopano Makoa, told this publication an urgent investigation into the matter was needed to nip any security loopholes in the bud.

Prof Makoa said the security agencies – particularly the LDF – were likely to be the first suspects given Dr Thabane’s frayed relations with the agency.

Before his 12 February 2017 return to Lesotho, Dr Thabane had fled to South Africa on 11 May 2015, after alleging an LDF plot to assassinate him for falling out with its command while he was premier.

He also fled the country on 28 August 2014, during his first tenure as prime minister, claiming some LDF members were out to kill him and topple his government.

However, the LDF has vehemently denied the allegations.

“It is an open secret that the soldiers are hostile towards this government,” Prof Makoa said.

“They were partly responsible for ending the first coalition government led by the current premier. They still owe the nation an explanation regarding their actions during Lesotho’s first coalition government led by Dr Thabane.”

He said Defence and National Security Minister Sentje Lebona needed to conduct a thorough investigation of the matter to ensure the premier’s safety.

“This issue needs to be taken seriously and investigated urgently because it is a security problem.

“The monitoring of the premier’s movements would at the end of the day give the people surveilling him knowledge of his whereabouts, which could later give them an opportunity to waylay him.”

Efforts to contact Mr Lebona were fruitless yesterday as his phone was continuously unavailable.

LDF spokesperson, Brigadier Ntlele Ntoi, yesterday rubbished claims that the army or any other security agency might be involved in the bugging.

“One thing I can assure you is that the military is there to provide security to the nation in general and to our clients,” he said.

“The right honourable prime minister is among the clientele to whom we provide security. We, therefore, cannot afford as the military, or any other security agency for that matter, to be part and parcel of such a scam.”

Bereng Mpaki

THE management of Mothae Diamond Mine has warned the public not to fall prey to confidence tricksters who have placed advertisements on various social media platforms claiming that the mine is on massive recruitment exercise.

Mothae Mine is located close to the high dollar-per carat gem producer, Letšeng Diamonds in Mokhotlong, and it was put up for sale by the government in February 2016 after prospective buyer Paragon Diamonds Limited failed to secure the requisite funding within the given time frame.

In April this year, the government awarded mining rights to Australian-based Lucapa Diamonds to develop the mine which had been idle since 2015. Lucapa holds 70 percent shares at Mothae Mine while the government holds the remaining 30 percent.

Of late, purported job advertisements at the mine have gone viral on various social media platforms.

One such advertisement appeared last week on a South African website with the title: Mothae Diamond Mine Open New Vacancies for People to Work Permanent Positions.

The advertisement even had phone numbers of the ‘contact person’ for ‘interview bookings’ who is South African.

However, the mine management has distanced itself from the purported vacancies saying when these become available, credible local media outlets would be used.

“The office of Mothae Diamonds (PTY) LTD informs the public that it has come to our attention about an advertisement for job vacancies on the internet,” the mine said in a recent statement.

“We wish to state that such an advertisement was not issued by Mothae Diamonds (PTY) LTD and its shareholders.

“The office of Mothae Diamonds therefore informs the public that it will issue advertisements in local newspapers and radio when such job vacancies become available, based on the agreement between Mothae Diamonds and its shareholders.

“This announcement is made by the management of Mothae Diamonds (PTY) LTD and Lucapa Diamonds LTD Australia Management.”

For his part, the public relations officer of the Ministry of Mining, Rorisang Mahlo, condemned the internet scam.

“We totally condemn this type of behaviour as the Ministry of Mining and also as shareholders at Mothae mine. It is clear that the move is intended to extort money out of the poor Basotho who are desperate to find jobs,” Mr Mahlo said.

He said while they were yet to establish if anyone had lost money to the scammers, they would investigate the matter in order to bring the perpetrators to book.

Similar job scams have previously been reported at Liqhobong Mine and the Matekane Group of Companies.

Bereng Mpaki

LESOTHO’S year-on-year consumer inflation rate rose from 4.4 percent in March 2017 to five percent in June 2017 largely due to increases in food prices following the end of a government subsidy on locally- produced maize meal in May 2017.

This was revealed by Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) Governor Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane on Tuesday following a meeting by the apex bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

She also revealed that the MPC decided to reduce the CBL rate by 25 basis points to 6.75 percent per annum in response to the South African Reserve Bank’s reduction of its repurchase rate to 6.75 percent per annum to spur growth.

The CBL rate is the benchmark interest rate which, among others, determines the cost of borrowing from commercial banks.

Central banks revise benchmark interest rates regularly to ensure price stability and help governments achieve economic growth targets.

Dr Matlanyane said reducing the CBL rate would minimize capital outflows to maintain the stability of the economy.

“We have reduced the CBL rate by 25 basis points to 6.75 percent per annum so that we are at par with the South African Reserve Bank’s rate,” she said.

“This will minimise capital inflows and debt outflows so that we try to stabilise the economy as much as possible.”

The committee also increased the Net International Reserves (NIR) target floor from US$630 million to US$635 million to ensure an exchange of one loti for one rand and maintain macroeconomic stability.

“We will increase the Net International Reserves target floor from US$630.00 million to US$ 635.00 million. This means that the target floor that we need to keep the loti pegged to the rand will increase to US$635.00 million.

“That does not mean that those are the reserves the central bank keeps. It means that is what we need to keep as the minimum for us to have the loti still equivalent to the rand.”

Dr Matlanyane also indicated that economic activity contracted during the first quarter of 2017.

“The contraction in quarterly economic activity emanated from both the secondary and tertiary sectors. However, recovery in the primary sector, as a result of the relatively higher grain harvest plus activities in diamond mining mitigated the contraction to some extent.”

She attributed the increase in the year-on-year consumer inflation to the ending of a 30 percent government subsidy on locally-produced maize meal, beans and peas.

The subsidy, which was effected on 1 June 2016, was bankrolled by M162.7 million the government had set aside to mitigate the effects of skyrocketing food prices in the aftermath of the 2015/16 El Niño-induced drought.

“This was largely due to increase in prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, following an end of the government subsidy on locally produced maize meal in May 2017,” the CBL chief said.

On money supply, she stated that there was a 0.9 percent decrease in May 2017 in contrast with a 10.9 percent increase registered in March 2017.

“The decrease was attributable to a fall in the banking system net foreign assets, which more than offsets the rise in domestic claims. Private sector credit extension has increased by 3.4 percent for households and business enterprises, respectively.”

The official reserves coverage also fell from 5.3 months of import cover in December 2016 to 4.9 months in March 2017.

“Government budgetary operations were limited to essential and recurrent expenditure during the second quarter. The 2017/18 national budget proposes a lower fiscal deficit equivalent to 4.8 percent of GDP for the current fiscal year, compared to the actual deficit of 7.8 percent released in 2016/17.”

Dr Matlanyane said global economic activity continued to show signs of recovery during the period to July 2017.

“The positive performance in advanced economies emanated mainly from Japan and United Kingdom, while economic activity from the Euro Area and United States remained subdued,” she stated.

Touching on neighbouring South Africa, Dr Matlanyane indicated that it registered two successive quarters of negative growth of 0.3 percent and 0.7 percent in December 2016 and March 2017, respectively.

“Outlook has deteriorated with growth projections having been revised downwards from 1.0 percent to 0.5 per cent, and from 1.5 per cent to 1.2 for 2017 and 2018, respectively.

“The outlook is affected by heightened political and policy uncertainty, low consumer and investor confidence and the lurking possibility of further credit ratings downgrades,” she added.

Mimi Machakaire

FOUNDER and chairperson of Pink Mic organisation, Seithati Mafura, recently launched the Breaking Beauty Boundaries campaign to encourage African women to embrace their beauty in the face of western stereotypes.

The campaign was in the form of a photo shoot at Katlehong in Maseru where several local ladies of varying social, academic backgrounds and body sizes participated in celebration of the African beauty.

The participants wore the world-famous Lesotho blanket which is one of the symbols of Lesotho culture.

Pink Mic is a women empowerment organisation which aims to celebrate and broaden standards of beauty.

The Lesotho-born Mafura who is based at the University of the Free State, South Africa, recently told the Weekender that she founded Pink Mic in September 2015 with the aim of instilling pride in the African ideas of beauty and culture which have increasingly been undermined by western values.

“Known as ‘Tokoloho ho moeli ea botle’ in Sesotho, Breaking Beauty Boundaries aims to help African women embrace who they are and break free from any fixed ideal of beauty by accepting their own beauty,” Mafura said.

She said American and European media have been instrumental in spreading western concepts about beauty and undermining African and other concepts from the rest of the world.

“It’s time African women reset these boundaries, redefine beauty on their own accord and re-culture it back to their roots away from this heavy western influence.

“African women must realise that it is not about fitting into the (western) media expectations, it is about understanding where they came from and rebuilding their own unique standards of beauty.”

Mafura said the campaign was inspired by her own struggles to understand the meaning of beauty and the realisation that the majority of African women are today struggling to define beauty for themselves.

She noted that it is better to glorify what one already had than chase what could be.

“As African women, we can progress with the rest of the world but still maintain that respect for our heritage. I have my imperfections but I accept those imperfections because they make me the unique individual that I am. You know you have flaws but they don’t define anything about you, least of all beauty,” Ms Mafura said.

This is Seithati’s first of many campaigns which will also be rolled out on various social media platforms.

Mohalenyane Phakela

CUBAN Linx in Maseru is the place to be this weekend as the club will host three events from tonight till Saturday night.

Kicking it off this evening will be the second edition of the monthly Dirt-Mouth Sessions (also known as Versus Lesotho) where two local rappers, Silent Fate and Kat-Law will battle it out for the M1000 prize money.

One of the organisers, DJ Da Starr has told this publication in previous interviews that the idea was for the rappers to amicably settle their ‘beefs’ through a live performance before an audience and a panel of judges.

The first edition was held on 29 June, 2017 and it featured rappers, OG S’killz and Anonymous in a battle which was won by the former.

Tonight’s contest will be judged by Mr Maps, Masilo Mosouenyane and Cymtom Beats.

There will be supporting performances from Meloh, Kislev, Skebz D, Reborn, OG S’killz and Anonymous. DJs Trybz, Hobbs, Hitman, NINE24 and Da Starr will hold it down behind the DJ booth.

On Friday night, soulful House aficionados will be in for a treat with the best of the genre being served by local heavyweights, Harris T, Thoxie, Mekonko, Agent K and Khotso Molapo. The South African contingent will comprise of the likes of Dixie, Stone Candi, Garish, Razor Minora, Kaylo and SK-Dog.

Dubbed Music Beyond Boundaries II, the event will be held to celebrate TshepzaDJ’s 37^th birthday.

The Mohale’s Hoek-born disc spinner who has been playing professionally since 2010, will play alongside the aforementioned DJs.

On Saturday, Scorpio Knights entertainment company will host the Winter Fest with the aim of shaking the winter blues.

Scorpio Knights was introduced last November partly to celebrate co-owner, Sekonyela Matamane’s 30^th birthday. Matamane said Scorpio Knights intends to cement itself as the number one entertainment provider in the country.

South African acts, AB Crazy and Lyquid DJ will share the stage with Lesotho’s very own L-Tore, Juvy, DJs Trybz, Konsept, Bootz, MSL Relo, NINE24 and Kopper.

Ms Kiva will be the MC of the night.

Mohalenyane Phakela

THE political music awards which have been in the pipeline since 2015 will finally be held on Saturday in Maseru Central Park with each group set to receive M10 000 prize money.

Sports 24/7 Lesotho launched the initiative in 2015 with the aim of fostering unity among followers of different political parties as well as rewarding the makers of political music.

Speaking to the Weekender this week on behalf of the organisers, Taelo said they were excited to finally host the awards.

“Initially, we wanted the awards to foster peace among different political parties but we also realised that political musicians play a major role in promoting their parties but to dot get enough support as they are only celebrated during rallies,” Ntsokotsane said.

“This is an attempt to recognise their efforts and promote their music so that like other musicians they can earn a living from their talents.

“We have invited every political singing group regardless of the party affiliation and so far only three have confirmed their participation.

We intend to award each participating group M10 000 to promote it.”

Ntsokotsane said they raised the money from people of goodwill and through ticket sales.

He said they hoped to attract sponsors to make next year’s event even bigger.

“We raised some of the funds through ticket sales and tickets are still available at Computicket for M50. Tickets are customised for different parties so people will be able to buy tickets that bear their party name,” he said, adding that people could come dressed in party regalia.

“We have also employed 25 ushers from each political party who will work closely with our staff to ensure there is order. We will also have private security at the venue with the police also invited to oversee stability,” he said.

Mohalenyane Phakela

SEVERAL organisations which fall under the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture (MTEC) have cautiously welcomed the increased budget allocation to the ministry, adding, it however, might not do them much good unless government moves to establish an arts council.

Last week, Finance Minister, Moeketsi Majoro, announced that the Culture ministry would receive M220.8 million (62% up from last year’s M133.40 million allocation) in his proposed national budget speech.

Dr Majoro said government had identified the ministry as one of the key pillars in its quest to diversify the economy and stimulate growth.

However, the different organisations affiliated to the ministry said government would need to do more than just allocate money to encourage the growth in the arts sector.

They say an arts council is necessary to monitor budget allocations to different associations and to speed up the implementation of the Copyright Regulations Act to give artistes protection and rewards for their work.

Lesotho Culture and Traditional Sports Association (LCTSA) president, Thabang Maoela, said that it was time the Culture ministry gazetted the long-promised Copyright Regulations Act.

“Unless an arts council and a Copyright Regulations board is established, we will not know what happened to the budget funds as has been case in the past,” Maoela said.

“Our main objective is to preserve nature and engage in activities that are directed at reviving cultural sports involving all the 10 districts and our current budget of M292 650 is not enough.

“We urge the Culture ministry to have district officers who will help promote arts at district level. The minister should also meet presidents of different associations to hear our full concerns rather than getting information from the directors at the ministry’s head offices.”

Beauty Pageants Association of Lesotho chairperson, Tlali Tlali, said in the absence of an arts council, the huge budget would not benefit all the associations.

“Apart from the arts council, the ministry needs people with expertise in different fields who will serve our different needs effectively.

“BPAL has for a long time pleaded with government to endorse pageants so that sponsors can get tax exemptions like in other fields.

“We also participate in international pageants which benefit the country as our representatives make presentations about our culture and the beauty of our country.

“The ministry normally assists us with one flight ticket each year but we feel the contestant should not travel alone but with at least four other people for support, just like in sports where we see players travelling with the technical team.”

The deputy president of Lesotho Music Rights Association, Sechaba Moqoko, said: “The government is aware that for a long time our work has been pirated and sold on the streets”.

“Our plea has always been for a law to protect our work from such malicious acts so that we can be able to make money.

“Even if the budget is increased by 100%, arts are going nowhere unless there is a clear policy of how much each sector is allocated and that can be done through the arts council.

“That huge amount allocated to the ministry covers a lot of things and it might be injected into recreation parks so as for now we cannot comment effectively on the 62% increment,” he said.

’Marafaele Mohloboli

MINISTER of Mining, Keketso Sello, says he joined politics out of a strong desire to help create a new Lesotho teeming with economic opportunities for all citizens.

As a businessman, Mr Sello, said he was alive to the need for transparency, fairness and accountability in the awarding of tenders.

He said he was particularly galled by the culture of cronyism and the failure of politicians to create a conducive atmosphere for tenders to be awarded to deserving companies, a development which had negative consequences for the economy and overall national development.

“I am a business man and have always been,” said the son of an undertaker who inherited the family business.

“I decided to venture into politics after experiencing disappointment at the hands of politicians we had voted into power. I felt it was time I stopped being a spectator and needed to play a part in effecting the change I wanted to see.

“I was compelled to join politics to find out why it was so hard for politicians to create a conducive playing field for all business people. For the longest time politicians have failed to protect business people. There has always been favouritism in awarding of tenders and this has never sat well with me.”

And he should know because after all, the ruling All Basotho Convention’s legislator for the Hlotse #13 constituency in the Leribe district is a business man of note.

Born to an undertaker in 1970, Mr Sello inherited the family business.

He said his ministerial appointment as a came as a great surprise that he never saw coming.

“Being appointed a minister came as a shock, let alone the minister of such an important portfolio as mining which has the potential to change Basotho’s livelihoods. I felt honoured and humbled. It also excited me because I am very ambitious and I accepted the challenge as I would like to turn around the mining sector.”

He said the transformation of the mining sector started with adherence to the procedures by mining applicants and those who award tenders on the basis of cronyism and corruption.

He said he was advocating for zero tolerance of corruption in mining because this was one of the sectors that was hit hard by graft.

“There are a whole lot of pending court cases in mining and government needs to clear them. Even though I am not a part of the mining board, I am going to make it my business to push for transparency in the awarding of tenders. I will advise them until they do the right thing. No to corruption.”

He vowed to vet every mining licence issued, starting from the recommendations forwarded to him before appending his signature.

“All licenses should be awarded transparently because I won’t sign anything I am not comfortable with just because it has been forwarded to me by the (mining) board.”

He said there was still the challenge of engaging expatriates even for jobs that could be done by locals, adding this emanated from lack of coordination between his ministry and that of Labour and Employment.

“There is need for the two ministries to work together as they are intertwined. No ministry can operate in silos and it is for us to make it happen. Expatriates should be there for two years and there is a serious need for serious transfer of skills and I feel that this is long overdue.”

As an undertaker who owns the Lesotho Funeral Services, Mr Sello is particularly incensed by the general neglect of the dead which has seen him arrange for the free burial of corpses that often went unclaimed by relatives.

He challenged government to do something about the situation, saying “these are the same people who were lured into voting politicians into power and yet they were neglected once they died”.

“Politicians only care about voters while they are still alive,” he said.

“Being in my line of business has really humbled me to appreciate God’s greatness and also understand that we are what we are because of other people.

“So I have also learnt to always help out whenever I can as I am sometimes stuck with neglected corpses out of negligence or even out of destitution.”

Mr Sello concluded by calling for a paradigm shift in the way politicians went about their business, disappointing the electorate in the process.

Minister of Communications, Science and Technology Joang Molapo & His wife Kutloano Molapo

Pascalinah Kabi

COMMUNICATIONS, Science and Technology Minister Joang Molapo has dismissed as “fabricated lies” allegations he lobbied for the inclusion of his wife in a Basotho National Party (BNP) shortlist for a principal secretary (PS) post in the ministry.

Chief Molapo told the Lesotho Times this week his wife, Kutloano Molapo, had merely applied for consideration for the post in her own right as a BNP member without his input.

This was in response to swirling speculation that the minister had engineered the inclusion of Ms Molapo – who is a lawyer specialising in insurance – in the shortlist.

The BNP is part of a four-party governing alliance led by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane. The coalition government – which also includes the All Basotho Convention, Alliance of Democrats and Reformed Congress of Lesotho – was established after the 3 June 2017 parliamentary elections resulted in a hung parliament.

The four parties ousted a seven-party coalition government which was led by former premier Pakalitha Mosisili.

As part of an ongoing drive to dislodge vestiges of the previous regime, the government last week sent PSs appointed by Dr Mosisili on a 40-day leave pending the termination of their contracts.

Ten of the PSs have since challenged the decision, with the matter currently before the courts of law.

The dismissal of the PSs set in motion a search for their replacements in the coalition government, since each party can choose a PS for ministries under its purview.

Last week, the BNP issued a circular asking its members wanting to be considered for the post to submit their CVs.

Ms Molapo’s submission sparked an outcry from some BNP members who accused the minister, who is also the party’s deputy leader, of nepotism.

The aggrieved BNP members also accused Chief Molapo of double standards, saying he criticised Dr Mosisili for appointing his relatives to key positions “but was trying to do the same thing”.

Dr Mosisili’s son, Rethabile, was booted out of the influential and plum post of Lesotho Highlands Water Commission chief delegate last month, while the former premier’s daughter-in-law Lisebo ‘Mapumulo Mosisili, is among the fired PSs challenging their dismissal in court.

“Our deputy leader wanted his wife to be engaged as his principal secretary and we strongly feel that this is nepotism and no different from what the past government did,” a source, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, told this paper.

Another source said although Chief Molapo was not part of the panel assigned to assess the candidates’ CVs, he had tried to influence its decisions.

“There is nothing wrong with his wife submitting a CV for consideration, but it is a different story when she applies for a position where her husband is working as a minister. The situation is made worse considering her husband tried to sneak her in.”

However, Chief Molapo rubbished the claims, saying he did not meddle in the shortlisting process.

“I have a responsibility of maintaining confidentiality on issues that have to do with my party,” he said.

“But I have documentary evidence showing that all these allegations are nonsense and fabricated lies.”

Chief Joang also said it was “bizarre” that his accusers were not producing any evidence of his alleged impropriety, adding that his wife was within her rights to apply for consideration like any party member.

“I must tell you from the onset that my wife was not handpicked for this job. She submitted her CV after seeing a memo on a notice board at the BNP office.”

He also indicated that Ms Molapo was a full-fledged BNP member who had played various roles in assisting the party.

“You will remember that during the days of the previous regime, we went to a Southern African Development Community meeting to protest against the atrocities committed by that government and my wife paid for that trip.

“It seems she is only good for the party when she takes out her money and finances party engagements? Is she only good when she is called in her professional capacity to help on certain issues like the legal challenges of Ntate Machesetsa (Mofomobe)?

“Is she only good when she is asked to help on women’s issues? Is it a crime that she is my wife?”

Chief Molapo said the allegations were being made by his political rivals within the BNP, adding that they should first prove the wrongs they said he had committed.

Chief Molapo would not be drawn to name his rivals in the BNP, but said there were some “ambitious individuals” bent on undermining him at all costs.

“My rivals know that slandering my name will negatively affect my support within the party and undermine my standing in cabinet. Their ultimate goal is for me to be pushed out and open opportunities for them,” he said.

Limpho Sello

DEPUTY Prime Minister, Monyane Moleleki, has condemned the killings of Chinese and other foreign nationals, saying such criminal activities prevented the country from fully realising the economic benefits they brought to the country through their investments.

Mr Moleleki said this during the recent gala dinner to commemorate the first anniversary of the Chinese Community and the Security Cooperation Centre (CCSCC) in Maseru.

The CCSCC was officially launched on 4 July, 2016 with the aim of creating a safer environment for the Chinese community in Lesotho.

This came against the background of criminal incidents that resulted in the killings of at least seven Chinese nationals. Mr Moleleki attended last year’s launch ceremony in his capacity as then Minister of Police.

Speaking at the first anniversary commemorations, Mr Moleleki said the number of killings had dropped from seven in 2015 to just two after the launch of the centre.

He however, called for end to the killings, saying even one “Chinese national killed was one too many”.

“When a project like this starts any right thinking, person should ask themselves about statistics,” Mr Moleleki said, adding, “In this case the statistics of Chinese people killed a year before the project was established is seven and now the number has dropped to two”.

“I would like to welcome Chinese and I’m sure that we all that agree that two Chinese people killed is too many. In future, I would want to invite you to celebrate zero killings.

“The Chinese come here in good will and they are investors. They did not cross the border to come here to suffer at the hands of criminals.

“The Chinese never colonised us and never looked down on us, so let us appreciate them and let us protect them. It’s not good to attack foreigners and it’s not good to have a reputation of harassing them.”

He said it was necessary to protect people who came to invest and create jobs for Basotho.

For his part, the CCSCC Director, Chen Thabiso Kehui said the centre had helped create a cordial atmosphere of co-existence, adding before its inception, the Chinese experienced challenges relating to their security in the country.

“Currently we are safe and feel more welcome and protected than before. We are therefore very grateful to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service for their cooperation,” Mr Chen said.

He said Chinese businesses used to be targeted by robbers but this had since changed after the establishment of the centre.

“In various instances, seven Chinese people were killed but it is better now. I’m sure police are doing their all to protect Chinese people to live in peace.”

He said as much as they protected them from criminals, the police also had duty to bring to book Chinese nationals who fell foul of the country’s laws.

. . . as former cop takes helm of Police ministry

Pascalinah Kabi

FOR newly-appointed Police and Public Safety Minister, ‘Mampho Mokhele, her approach in superintending over the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) will not be any different from the way she served the agency for 36 years.

Ms Mokhele told the Lesotho Times in an interview this week that she would continue to be guided by two words – truth and reconciliation – in her quest to improve the working conditions of police officers and professionalising the agency.

Appointed last month by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, after being sworn-in as a senator, Ms Mokhele realised a lifelong dream to serve as a Police and Public Safety minister and address the all too familiar challenges bedevilling the agency.

“When I was a policewoman, I always told people within my circles that when I retire, I would want to be a Police minister so that I can advocate for the LMPS in cabinet and parliament,” she said.

“I know all about the hardships police officers go through like the palm of my hand since 36 years of my life were spent serving in the agency.”

Born in 1957 in Malibamatšo, Ms Mokhele said she initially applied to join the LMPS in 1974 after dropping out of school to seek employment for supplementing her father’s meagre income.

However, the initial application was unsuccessful, with a second try in 1975 finally yielding results.

“I come from a family of four girls. I am the second born in the family and I was very close to my father, who put food on the table by making and repairing horse saddles,” she said.

“Over time, my father’s income continued to dwindle until he couldn’t even afford to buy the equipment he used to make or repair the saddles.

“I then decided to sacrifice my education for my sisters and dropped out of school to seek employment at the LMPS in 1974. That year, I was not recruited, but the following year I made it in.”

With steely determination to achieve her goal of supporting her family, Ms Mokhele was undeterred by the harsh environment she found at the Police Training College (PTC), even when others gave up.

The crowning moment was the pass-out ceremony later that year, in which Ms Mokhele and other recruits pledged to serve their country while clad in blue and yellow uniforms.

Ms Mokhele’s initial posting was in the Crime Investigation Department (CID) which she took in her stride despite being the only woman in the unit.

“While many people would have seen being assigned to the CID as a tough assignment, I chose to see it as a blessing in disguise and worked extremely hard.

“I was later posted to the Leribe Police Station in 1999.”

In Leribe, she spearheaded a programme that would become a stock in trade throughout her career. The programme was meant to reconcile circumcision initiates with community members and also train them.

“When I arrived in Leribe, initiates would bully community members while the initiates also faced discrimination from the same communities which loved them before they went to the initiation schools.”

The initiative not only earned her the respect of the residents of Leribe, but caught the attention of the LMPS management who decided to extend it to Mokhotlong and Butha-Buthe.

All the while, Ms Mokhele rose through the ranks as senior inspector and then superintendent. The promotion came with a transfer to Mohale’s Hoek.

“Within a short space of time, I was again transferred to head the Mafeteng district. Because police officers commanding districts were at the level of senior superintendent, I was also promoted to the same rank.”

Mafeteng proved to be a baptism of fire for Ms Mokhele, as she had to grapple with the famo music gang warfare. Like her predecessors, Ms Mokhele’s mettle was tested in the district, more so because of being a woman.

“It was the most challenging time of my career. There were numerous incidents of killings associated with initiates, with initiates from one village fighting and killing others from another village. There were also famo gang killings between the Terene and Fito groups led respectively by Chakela and Selomo.

“People began to question my appointment saying ‘what is this woman going to do here? How can she be the head of a district in which even men failed to lead?’ Eventually, I succumbed to that criticism and began to question myself.

“I only looked at my womanhood and not my capabilities. In an attempt show authority, I chose to be an iron lady but soon realised that it was not working for me.”

Ms Mokhele decided to take the leadership approach she employed in Leribe, Mokhotlong, Butha-Buthe and Mohale’s Hoek by meeting and discussing with community members.

Vividly remembering an encounter with one of the famo gang leaders, Ms Mokhele said she had to ignore an insult and look at the bigger picture of being an agent of change.

Eventually, the approach began to pay dividends with famo gang warfare and killings among initiates subsiding.

“Over time, I was able to have civil discussions with the gang leaders. By the time I left the district, there were no more killings and Chakela and Selomo became good friends.”

She was transferred back to Leribe to preach the same message of truth and reconciliation since the district was facing similar challenges.

“Before long, I was again transferred to Butha-Buthe district, which was experiencing high incidents of livestock and car theft between Lesotho and South Africa.

“With the benefit of experience gained in Mafeteng, we established various police posts both at the borders and boundaries while at the same time working closely with Qwaqwa and South African police.”

Asked how her family has coped with the rigorous work schedule, she said it took a hefty toll on her four children and now late husband.

“My family suffered immensely from the day I was transferred to Mafeteng. It was not a good experience for me, my husband and my children.”

Her husband’s death in 2010 was a game changer, with a distraught Ms Mokhele making a conscious decision to retire from the service she loyally served aged 54 years.

“The law says a police officer can retire at the age of 55 years. And to properly mourn the death of my husband, I went on leave pending the retirement age. Fortunately for me, I had leave days that amounted to a year.”

Ms Mokhele said superintending as a minister over an agency she served for 36 years had seemed like a farfetched dream.

“At times, we may say words that we don’t really think will come true later in our lives, whether positive or negative.”

Addressing the challenges faced by LMPS officers and professionalising the agency would rank high among her priorities.

“For instance, I always and still stand by the position that the LMPS desperately and urgently needs its own helicopter to carry out its mandate effectively.

“The police service has also lost its way, with LMPS members accused of taking bribes. There is also a huge backlog of cases that have not been resolved, and we have lost the trust of the same public we were mandated to serve.

“I am going to work hard to overhaul the LMPS. It is not going to be easy but I know together we can do it by sticking to the laws that govern the LMPS and Lesotho.”

Turning to her political journey, Ms Mokhele said she decided to contest in the 2012 National Assembly elections representing the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) in Maputsoe constituency two years after her retirement.

She later left the LCD and joined the All Basotho Convention. After the 28 February 2015 National Assembly elections, she made it into parliament as a proportional representation legislator for the ABC.

Given that Lesotho is joining the rest of the continent in celebrating Women’s Month, Ms Mokhele said more efforts needed to be made in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

“As a woman, I plead with my fellow women to never be afraid of reporting GBV cases in all their forms and take care of one another. We need to stand together and love each other; we are not incapable of standing by each other,” Ms Mokhele added.

Tefo Tefo

HIGH Court judge, Justice Tšeliso Monaphathi, on Tuesday ruled that the case in which principal secretaries (PSs) are challenging the termination of their contracts is not an urgent issue and should therefore be dealt with in terms of the normal court processes.

This followed a court application by 10 outgoing PSs, to have their case treated as urgent matter after they were sent on a 40 day leave on 24 July, 2017 pending termination of the contracts they signed with the former seven parties’ coalition government that was headed by Democratic Congress leader, Pakalitha Mosisili.

All Basotho Convention party leader, Thomas Thabane, was sworn as Prime Minister in June in the wake of snap elections in the same month after his party combined its 48 seats with those of the Alliance of Democrats (nine seats), Basotho Congress Party (five) and the Reformed Congress of Lesotho (one) to form a new government.

The PSs are the administrative heads and chief accounting officers of government departments.

They are Lebohang Moreke, Lisebo ‘Mapulumo Mosisili, ‘Makhojane Monyane, Majakathata Mokoena Thakhisi, ‘Mampho Kotelo-‘Molaoa, Borenahabokhethe Sekonyela, Makalo Theko, Motseki Mofammere, ‘Mapitso Panyane and ‘Mapaseka Kolotsane.

They filed an urgent application last Tuesday challenging their forced leaves pending termination of their contracts.

They are also complaining about the amendment on their contracts in May this year by the former government to the effect that their contracts would end automatically immediately when the-then government relinquished power.

However, Justice Monaphathi ruled that their case was not urgent because they were aware of the consequences as early as when they signed the amended contracts.

“What the applicants are complaining about now is what they have known all along when the amendments were made,” Justice Monaphathi said in his ruling.

“They were aware that this would happen because theirs were political appointments.

“There is no urgency in this matter and the applicants must pay costs.

“There is no urgency because they are even now on leave and their leave expires more than 21 days from now,” the judge ruled on Tuesday.

The judge also said the merits of the case would be determined during the hearing of the case after all relevant court papers had been filed by both parties to the dispute.

“The agreement, contract and the show cause are challenged in this application.

“Most of these things belong to the merits. They are not supposed to be decided by this court, but by the trial court, which is the court that is seized with this matter.”

This means that respondents who include Dr Thabane, the Government Secretary and the Attorney General will file their answering papers, followed by the applicants’ replying papers.

Thereafter, the case will be placed on the court roll for hearing without being given any preference over other cases.

The 10 PSs were individually served with letters containing the amendments which were made on 17 May, 2017, about a month before the snap elections.

Part of the letter containing the amendment reads: “The contract of the person engaged shall automatically terminate before its expiry if the tenure of office of the Government which appointed him/her comes to an end, and the new Government takes over.”

The letters also states that payment of gratuity shall be made on “pro-rata” basis where a contract has been terminated before its expiry.

It means they will get their gratuity on the basis of the period they served before completing their three-year term.

In their challenge before court the outgoing PSs argue the amendment to their contracts is contrary to the principal law of engaging PSs into the public service.

The Acting Government Secretary Emmanuel Lesoma on 24 May, 2017 wrote individual letters to the 10 PSs sending them on leave.

Part of the letter written to Mr Mokoena-Thakhisi reads: “Kindly note that the Coalition Government has decided that you proceed on leave of 40 working days starting from 24 July, 2017. The 40 days include your pending annual leave days.”

The letters followed the joint meeting the PSs held with Mr Lesoma in the Government Secretary’s boardroom on 18 July, 2017, where they were informed about the intention to retire them.

They are represented by Advocate Letuka Molati, while the government is represented by Attorney Tumisang Mosotho.