Mohloai Mpesi
THE Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) Commissioner-General, Advocate ‘Mathabo Mokoko, was dismissed for alleged incompetence, including failure to resolve mounting tax refund claims and to manage reputational risks, the Sunday Express has learnt.
However, her dismissal has been temporarily blocked by the Labour Court, pending the outcome of her challenge against the decision.
Adv Mokoko received her termination letter from the RSL Board on Friday after allegedly failing to respond to a show cause letter issued a couple of days earlier on Tuesday. She had been given until 10am on Friday to explain why she should not be dismissed for poor performance.
Instead of responding directly to the Board, chaired by Advocate Lindiwe Sephomolo KC, Adv Mokoko filed an urgent Labour Court application on Thursday seeking to interdict her dismissal.
Despite the pending application, the Board proceeded to terminate her contract, citing failure to make any representations.
The Labour Court, however, issued an interim order later the same day, temporarily halting the termination until her case is fully heard and decided.
Termination letter
According to the termination letter seen by the Sunday Express, the Board resolved to end her tenure immediately, citing serious governance and operational failures.
“Following the show cause letter of 4 November 2025, we expected to receive a response. However, we received your email containing unsigned court documents, which we acknowledge but consider a failure to provide a proper response. The Board has therefore resolved to terminate your tenure with immediate effect, following endorsement by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane. This decision was reached after careful consideration of the serious concerns raised,” the letter states.
The termination letter also cited her “failure to act in good faith by bypassing established governance structures and engaging external authorities without Board approval”.
The Board further accused Adv Mokoko of operational incompetence, highlighting escalating unresolved refund claims and?what it described as “failure to manage reputational risks”.
“Operational inefficiencies are reflected in escalating unresolved refund claims, which have severely impacted the business community. Non-compliance with Board directives, particularly your refusal to submit refund reports, and failure to manage reputational risks have resulted in widespread dissatisfaction and erosion of public trust in the institution,” the letter adds.
It also noted a breakdown of trust and accountability between Adv Mokoko and the board itself, which it said had compromised its ability to govern effectively.
“The cumulative effect of these issues demonstrates a fundamental incompatibility with the responsibilities and expectations of your office. The Board has therefore lost confidence in your ability to lead the Revenue Services Lesotho in a manner that upholds its mandate, fiscal policy, and public interest. You are required to return all RSL property in your possession, including electronic devices, access cards, official documents, and any other assets issued to you during your tenure, no later than Monday, 10 November 2025.”
Show cause letter
The 4 November show cause letter, which is more?or less?similar to the dismissal letter, raised concerns including failure to act in good faith by bypassing the Board and established governance protocols, including filing a grievance directly with the Minister and writing to the Auditor General without Board consultation. Audit findings also revealed a worrying increase in unpaid refunds, raising doubts about the Revenue Services Lesotho’s operational effectiveness, the letter alleged.
Advocate Mokoko, according to the show cause letter, had also allegedly refused to provide refund reports to the Board or respond to official correspondence from?its chairperson. Additionally, the letter claimed there were widespread complaints from the business community about poor responsiveness and service delivery, undermining public confidence in the RSL. The Board said there was now a?complete breakdown of trust between itself and Adv Mokoko, which had“compromised governance and accountability”.
RSL statement
The RSL had?on Friday?announced?Adv?Mokoko’s dismissal?as Commissioner-General with immediate effect.
“The Board of the Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL), at its sitting held on 7 November 2025, resolved to terminate the tenure of Mrs Mathabo Mokoko as Commissioner-General of the RSL with immediate effect following the Board’s engagement with her,” the statement read.
The Board expressed appreciation for Adv Mokoko’s service, acknowledging her contributions, leadership, and commitment during her tenure.
To ensure continuity, the Board appointed Rakokoana Makoa, the Commissioner for Client Services, as Acting Commissioner-General.
“Mr Makoa is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in tax administration, and the Board has full confidence in his ability to provide effective leadership during this transitional period,” the release stated.
The RSL assured stakeholders that operations would continue without disruption, reaffirming its commitment to mobilising domestic revenue, improving service delivery, and enhancing compliance in support of national development.
It is not clear whether the statement was issued before or after the Labour Court order.
Background
Adv Mokoko was appointed the RSL Commissioner General effective from 1 September 2023 with her contract scheduled to expire on 31 August 2026.
Her dismissal seems to have been looming for a long time over her differences with Dr Matlanyane.
In September this year, she told a parliamentary Economic Cluster Committee that Dr Matlanyane had been unlawfully interfering in RSL operations. She said the mminister’s directives undermined the institution’s independence and effectiveness, citing instructions to release confidential taxpayer information and to issue tax clearances to companies owing large sums.
Adv Mokoko’s claims were supported by her lawyers, Mei & Mei Attorneys, who in letters dated 8 and 9 September accused Dr Matlanyane of giving a “litany of unprecedented and unlawful instructions.” The lawyers said the Minister’s demands violated the secrecy provisions of the VAT Act and could expose Adv Mokoko to criminal liability if she complied. They also highlighted that some instructions were issued informally via WhatsApp, breaching official protocols.
The law firm detailed several examples, including the Minister’s alleged order to adjust the mining sector’s debt-to-equity ratio from 3:1 to 8:1 — a move they said was illegal since such ratios are set by legislation, not ministerial discretion.
Parliament’s Chair of Chairs, Mokhothu Makhanyane, had at that time assured Adv Mokoko of his committee’s support, stressing that RSL must be protected from political influence.
Makhalanyane
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, Mr Makhalanyane, an RFP MP, criticised what he called “undemocratic governance and persecution of public servants who uphold accountability”.
He cited not only Adv Mokoko’s dismissal but also the dissolution of the Government Asset Search and Recovery Task Team (GASRTT) and the non-renewal of Accountant-General ‘Malehlohonolo Likhapa Mahase’s contract as signs of what he described as a troubling pattern.
“The tears, suffering, and relentless pressure endured by Advocate Mathabo Mokoko, Mrs Likhapha Mahase, Advocate Seeng Matsosa, and Mr Moepana Kopo are not in vain,” he said.
“They have stood not for themselves but for the future of accountability, good governance, and the rule of law in our Kingdom.”
Adv Matsosa was the chairperson of the GASRTT while?Mr Kopo was his deputy.
Mr Makhalanyane warned ministers and political actors against using power “as a weapon to silence the righteous,” adding that such interference undermines public trust and Lesotho’s international image.
“In the face of intimidation and interference, they have chosen principle over convenience, and truth over silence. Their courage must inspire Parliament, the Judiciary, the Media, and Civil Society to rise above fear and defend the soul of our democracy.”