Mohloai Mpesi
PEKA legislator, Mohopoli “Hippo” Monokoane, left the ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) over what he describes as poor leadership and “sustained persecution” by the party’s executives, a move he said had further deepened divisions within Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s party.
Mr Monokoane crossed the floor on Monday alongside Matala MP, Dr Tšeliso Moroke, to join Professor Nqosa Mahao’s Basotho Action Party (BAP), reducing the RFP’s parliamentary representation to 56 seats.
The defections come barely a week after Abia MP Thuso Makhalanyane dumped the RFP for the Democratic Congress (DC), highlighting growing instability within the once-celebrated ruling party.
Despite the losses, Mr Matekane’s administration — comprising the Movement for Economic Change (MEC), the Alliance of Democrats (AD) and the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) among other partners — still commands more than 70 seats in Parliament, comfortably above the 61-seat simple majority required to pass decisions.
As a result, the trio’s defection remains inconsequential to the RFP-led government’s governance matrix, at least for now.
The party had already lost three MPs in 2023: Dr Mahali Phamotse of Matlakeng, who later formed the United Africans Transformation (UAT), and Rethabile Letlailana from Lithoteng and Malimong’s Lephoi Makara, both of whom defected to the DC. The former two were expelled after allegedly rebelling against the party leadership when they raised grievances about governance within the party. It was not clear why Mr Makara left.
Mr Monokoane echoed similar concerns in an interview with the Sunday Express, saying the RFP lacked clear structures and direction.
“When there is no relevance in the party and none of its manifesto commitments are implemented, no clear structures, no caucus — just a party without direction — you realise you are in the dark and need to leave that darkness behind,” Mr Monokoane said.
“RFP does not have direction. It is a party of its owner (Matekane), who runs it however he likes, in the most unacceptable ways. It is a waste of time to become a politician without an agenda. I needed a reputable home where I can express my opinions and be listened to.”
The Leribe tycoon, who owns Hippo Transport, further alleged that Mr Matekane targets MPs he dislikes, claiming that one MP had been “resourced” by the RFP to campaign against him in Peka constituency.
“He (Matekane) was using a rival party’s MP who was given resources to campaign against me so that I could be overthrown. It was not only me; he did the same to other MPs in their constituencies,” he alleged.
He said the Peka constituency committee had long encouraged him to leave the party after repeated “humiliations”. He claimed legal cases brought against him had been part of a broader campaign by RFP to undermine him.
“These legal suits were part of a government strategy to fight me. They came shortly after I wrote to the Prime Minister complaining about lack of meritocracy, nepotism, and interference with security agencies and courts,” he said.
He further alleged that state institutions such as the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), the Lesotho Mounted Police Service, and the Lesotho Defence Force were being used to persecute dissenting MPs.
Mr Monokoane had in November 2024 been accused by the DCEO of stealing fertilizer worth M42 000, which was later escalated to M74 800. However, he was acquitted in December last year over DCEO’s failure to prosecute the case.
He claimed this case was an example of state resources used to persecute dissenting MPs.
“They were still persecuting me when I was on their side, so it is highly expected that they will go after me now that I am no longer a member of RFP,” he added.
Mr Monokoane also claimed that between five and six other RFP MPs had intended to defect but were either threatened or bribed to stay.
“They did not sleep the whole night trying to lobby people not to follow me. We were supposed to be five or six MPs crossing, but others were threatened while some were bribed. Some MPs are given envelopes so that they don’t cross,” he said.
He said he joined BAP because of what he described as the party’s credibility.
“Professor Mahao is not dirty like these others. It was about finding a party with integrity,” he said.
For his part, Dr Moroke cited poor administration within RFP, saying MPs are denied platforms to air grievances.
“If the administration of the party was credible, we would not have reached this point. But the biggest problem is poor administration. You can’t even get a platform to address your complaints.”
He also criticised the party for elevating newcomers into leadership positions ahead of long-standing members.
“I did not join politics to play political tactics but to fix the nation,” Dr Moroke said.
Asked about allegations that some RFP ministers award tenders to themselves, friends and relatives, Dr Moroke said corruption thrives where leadership and administration are weak.
“You cannot have good governance with bad leadership. When systems collapse, corruption will thrive,” he said.
Meanwhile, outspoken RFP MP for Mokhethoaneng constituency, Mokhothu Makhalanyane, dismissed reports that he also intended to leave the party.
“I have no intention of crossing. I am serving Basotho faithfully and will continue to do so,” he said, adding that he saw no value in moving “from one dirty party to another”.
He nonetheless insisted that corruption under the current coalition administration was “more aggressive than in previous governments”.
“Congresses were corrupt but smart, ABC was corrupt but dirty. This one is aggressive,” he said, citing instances where law enforcement officials were allegedly instructed to drop cases involving politically connected individuals.
RFP deputy spokesperson, Thabo Maretlane, defended the party, dismissing allegations of poor leadership.
“To our knowledge, the RFP leadership is good and caucus meetings are held regularly. When people want to leave, they will always have reasons, but they should not defame the party,” Mr Maretlane said.
He also denied allegations of corruption against RFP ministers, saying the Prime Minister had challenged anyone with evidence to present it to the police or to his office.
“Those are opinions. If there is proof, let it be brought forward and action will be taken,” he said.