…accuses executive of meddling in autonomous bodies
Moroke Sekoboto
TOUGH-talking Mokhethoaneng legislator, Mokhothu Makhalanyane, has accused the executive of interfering with the work of the Offices of the Auditor General and Ombudsman.
Speaking during the reopening of Parliament from the Easter break on Friday, the no-nonsense Member of Parliament raised concerns after the order paper — which had included the tabling of the Ombudsman’s Special Follow-up Report on the Inspection of Correctional Services Facilities and the Special Follow-up on the Re-inspection of Mohlomi Mental Hospital — was amended, effectively removing the reports.
Ombudsman Advocate Tlotliso Polaki released the two reports a fortnight ago, highlighting the government’s failure to implement her recommendations concerning Mohlomi Mental Hospital and the Lesotho Correctional Service.
Also removed from the order paper was the tabling of the Portfolio Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, Immunities and Privileges report on the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Members of the National Assembly.
Instead, the House proceeded with the presentation of several bills, including the Tax Administration Bill 2026, the Value Added Tax Bill 2026, the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2026, and the Customs Bill 2026.
The changes did not sit well with Mr Makhalanyane, who urged the House to reprimand the executive for what he described as undue influence over independent institutions.
“The order paper was released yesterday (Thursday), and I was excited, but it was later reversed, which made me very angry,” Mr Makhalanyane said.
“It angered me because, under Section 24 of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, institutions do not take directives from anyone in the execution of their duties.
“I am referring to the Office of the Auditor General and the Office of the Ombudsman. I am following up on why this has happened. I became aware that ministers interfered in the process by influencing the reversal of the order paper,” he added.
Mr Makhalanyane, who also serves as Chair of Chairs, stressed that once determinations are made by the Auditor General or the Ombudsman, they cannot be altered.
“When the Ombudsman issues a determination, no one has the power to change it. The same applies to the Auditor General. Their reports must come to Parliament unchanged — we cannot continue operating like this,” he said.
“I plead with the House to reprimand the executive and put an end to this interference.”
However, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House, Nthomeng Majara, raised a point of order, arguing that Mr Makhalanyane’s call to reprimand the executive was premature and unsupported by evidence.
“It is wrong for Mr Makhalanyane to call for the reprimand of the executive before establishing what actually happened.
“Reprimand implies misconduct or a misdemeanour on the part of the executive, and that is unfair when no evidence has been presented to support such claims,” Ms Majara said.
Parliament then proceeded with adoption of the aforementioned Bills.