…in heated clash over Maputsoe fields
Mohloai Mpesi
A bitter dispute has erupted between prominent businessmen and Members of Parliament, Lebona Lephema and Mohopoli Monokoane, over the use and ownership of contested fields in Maputsoe, Leribe.
The long-time rivals were involved in a heated altercation at Parliament on Friday that nearly escalated into a fistfight.
Mr Lephema of Executive Transport, who is also the MP for Teya-Teyaneng and Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, is alleged to have urged Cabinet to order the destruction of maize planted by the Peka MP, Mr Monokoane of Hippo Transport, on the disputed land. He reportedly argued that the fields belong to the Lesotho Housing and Development Corporation (LHDC), an entity under his ministry.
However, Mr Monokoane maintained that he was invited by the Maputsoe community to plough the fields under a block farming arrangement, in which the harvest would be shared. His account is supported by former Home Affairs Minister Joang Molapo, who said he owned part of the land and was among those who engaged Mr Monokoane.
The confrontation reportedly occurred in the National Assembly restrooms. Mr Monokoane claimed Mr Lephema pushed him to the ground, while Mr Lephema insisted he merely pushed him away after being provoked.
Monokoane’s account
According to Mr Monokoane, who spoke to the Sunday Express immediately after the Friday incident, he encountered Mr Lephema in the National Assembly toilets and confronted him over what he described as persistent attempts to have his maize crop destroyed.
Mr Monokoane alleged that Mr Lephema had raised the matter in Cabinet last week, suggesting that his crops be destroyed on the basis that they were planted on land belonging to the Lesotho Housing and Development Corporation (LHDC).
“It happened that last week Mr Lephema told the Cabinet that I had planted on LHDC land in Maputsoe and that my maize should be destroyed using government machinery,” he said.
“When I went into the toilet today (Friday), I found him there and confronted him, asking why he was fighting me and what I had done to him. He then pushed me hard against the wall and walked out.”
Mr Monokoane said he has since reported the matter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Advocate Fine Maema KC.
“I have reported the incident and am waiting to see what action will be taken,” he said.
Disputed ownership
Mr Monokoane maintained that he had obtained permission from the landowners before commencing agricultural activities.
He said while 17 landowners had reportedly received partial compensation, the Corporation had neither completed payment nor secured a lease over the land.
“Councillors and chiefs approached me after seeing my agricultural work in Peka constituency and requested that I extend the same to Maputsoe,” he said.
“My team met with the councillors, chiefs and landowners, and an agreement was reached. It was only after we had planted that LHDC approached us, claiming ownership of the land.”
He further alleged that the Corporation’s actions were influenced by Mr Lephema.
“This came after the mminister encouraged them to destroy my crops,” he said.
Claims of political targeting
Mr Monokoane, who recently parted ways with the ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) for the Basotho Action Party (BAP), claimed he was being targeted politically and economically.
“One can conclude this is a deliberate attack because I am no longer a member of the RFP,” he said.
“They have labelled me an enemy of the state and even instructed ENGEN to stop doing business with me. As we speak, it cut ties with me following Mr Lephema’s intervention. They are trying to destroy me financially in every possible way.”
LHDC position
In the letter, signed by LHDC Director General, Malesekele Matekane, the Corporation accuses Mr Monokoane’s company of unlawfully occupying and cultivating its land.
“We have learned with deep concern that Peka Fresh Produce has entered upon and cultivated the land without consultation or consent of the Corporation,” the letter reads.
“This constitutes a blatant act of trespass and has caused significant inconvenience while derailing planned developments.”
The LHDC further asserted that the maize crop legally belongs to the Corporation but proposed a settlement in which 60 percent of the proceeds would go to Peka Fresh Produce and 40 percent to the Corporation.
The company was also instructed to cease all agricultural activities and vacate the land immediately after harvesting.
Lephema’s response
Mr Lephema offered a different version of events, accusing Mr Monokoane of initiating the confrontation.
He said the dispute began on Thursday when Mr Monokoane accused him, in an aggressive tone, of attempting to destroy his crops.
“Yesterday (Thursday), the MP for Peka pointed at me and told another MP that I wanted to destroy his maize. I did not respond,” he said.
“Today, he found me in the bathroom and poked me in the ribs, accusing me of raising the matter in Cabinet. I asked him when that happened. He came closer, and I pushed him away. He did not fall.”
Mr Lephema added that security personnel intervened before the situation escalated further.
He also said he had been informed by the LHDC that Mr Monokoane had occupied its land unlawfully and that a court order had been obtained to stop him.
“I am yet to confirm whether his crops will be destroyed, but that is what he was referring to,” he said.
“Landowners” weigh in
Former MP Joang Molapo, who said he owned 18 hectares within the disputed area, disputed LHDC’s claim to the land.
He explained that the land was initially earmarked for sale to the Maputsoe Council, but the agreement collapsed after the Council failed to meet its obligations.
“The fields were returned to the owners after the Council failed to fulfil the terms of the agreement,” he said.
“However, the Council went on to lease and transfer the land to LHDC without compensating the owners.”
Mr Molapo said affected landowners had taken legal action and that the matter was currently before the Court of Appeal.
He further accused the LHDC of failing to provide proof of payment.
“They cannot produce evidence that the land was paid for. The only document they have is a typed list of some landowners,” he said.
“As landowners, we authorised Mr Monokoane to utilise the fields so that we could benefit.”
He also criticised Mr Lephema’s conduct.
“Being in government does not give one the right to act irresponsibly. Leadership demands integrity, not intimidation,” he said.
Efforts to obtain comment from LHDC were unsuccessful at the time of publication, as calls went unanswered.