…as Lephema insists on being returned to local gvt ministry
.Matekane,and Lephema now set for fresh talks
Mohloai Mpesi
PRIME Minister and Revolution For Prosperity leader, Sam Matekane, and Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Lebona Lephema, are expected to meet again over Mr Lephema’s bid to be returned to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, the Sunday Express has learned.
RFP spokesperson, Mokhethi Shelile, confirmed that the party’s founders and National Executive Committee (NEC) had reached a deadlock on whether Mr Lephema should be reassigned to his former portfolio.
He said the matter has now been referred back to Mr Matekane and Mr Lephema for further discussions to possibly resolve the impasse.
Mr Shelile said the RFP NEC and party founders convened this past week to deliberate on ongoing divisions and factional tensions within the party.
Those who reportedly attended the meeting include Mr Lephema, Mr Matekane, Cloete Mdlodwana, chairperson Teboho Kobeli, secretary general Nthati Moorosi, Tlohang Sekhamane, deputy leader Nthomeng Majara, and Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, among others.
The meeting, reportedly held at State House, discussed whether Mr Lephema should return to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, or remain at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development—a ministry he is said not to have formally taken up following the recent cabinet reshuffle.
Prime Minister Matekane effected a sweeping cabinet reshuffle a fortnight ago, which saw former Trade Minister Mokhethi Shelile and Environment and Forestry Minister Letsema Adontši dismissed.
The changes also introduced four new faces into Cabinet: Voeswa Tsheka, Nkhethoa Seetsa, ‘Makatleho Motsoasele and ‘Mamokete Ntšekhe.
Ms Ntšekhe has been appointed Minister of Health, while Ms Tsheka heads the newly established Ministry of Home Affairs and Police. Mr Seetsa leads the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship, and Ms Motsoasele serves in the Prime Minister’s Office. All four are RFP legislators representing Mphosong, Thuathe, Mahobong and Motimposo constituencies respectively.
Mr Lephema was moved from the now-split Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development, a decision that reportedly did not sit well with him.
Conflict of interest
Reports suggest Mr Lephema is citing a potential conflict of interest, as his business interests reportedly interact with the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC). This allegedly includes the financial bailout his company, Executive Transport, has sought from LNDC, as well as his interest to buy the now defunct Loti Brick.
A source close to the developments said the NEC and founders were divided, with most members opposing Mr Lephema’s push to return to his former ministry.
“Yes, the NEC and RFP founders convened. Most of those present were not in support of Mr Lephema’s request to return to Home Affairs,” the source said.
“They argued that he should abide by the Prime Minister’s decision and continue at Trade, Industry and Business Development. I am not sure whether he has since returned or what his next step will be.”
The source, an RFP legislator, also dismissed speculation that Mr Lephema might form a breakaway party.
“He is not going to form a new party. That is out of the question. It is either he goes to Trade, Industry and Business Development or resigns from Cabinet. But forming a new party is not happening,” the source said.
Another RFP MP, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the prevailing view within the meeting was that Mr Lephema should remain at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development.
“The decision was that he should return to Trade, Industry and Business Development, but I am not sure whether he has accepted that or what his final position will be,” the MP said.
When contacted for comment, Mr Lephema referred questions to Mr Shelile, saying he was the authorised spokesperson on RFP matters.
“The right person to speak on RFP issues is the spokesperson. I do not have authority to comment on party matters,” Mr Lephema said.
Mr Shelile, however, maintained that no final decision had been reached, saying the outcome of the meeting was that Mr Matekane and Mr Lephema should continue consultations.
“There were no votes cast. The conclusion was that Mr Lephema and Mr Matekane should take time to discuss the matter further,” he said.
Reports within party circles suggest the emergence of two rival camps—one allegedly aligned with Deputy Prime Minister Nthomeng Majara and another linked to Mr Lephema.
It is further alleged that Mr Matekane is handling the matter cautiously due to the number of RFP legislators believed to be aligned with Mr Lephema, whose departure could significantly weaken the ruling party.
Mr Lephema is said to be dissatisfied with his perceived sidelining within RFP structures. Having co-founded the party with Mr Matekane, he reportedly believes he should have been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and eventual successor to the party leader.
He is also said to be frustrated by the growing influence of Ms Majara in Cabinet decision-making.
However, Mr Lephema has publicly maintained that he remains committed to the RFP and has no intention of forming a new party.
Speaking at his birthday celebration in Teyateyaneng last weekend, he reiterated that he would not abandon the party he co-founded with Prime Minister Matekane, recalling its formation following discussions in Bangkok, Thailand, and subsequent engagements in Cape Town, South Africa.
Efforts to obtain comment from Mr Matekane were unsuccessful, as his phone rang unanswered.
Lame Duck
If Mr Matekane bows to Mr Lephema’s pressure and returns him to the local government ministry, then the Prime Minister risks degrading himself into a hapless lame duck with no powers nor gravitas to do what he was elected to do.
Such a move would also be manna for the opposition which has been portraying Mr Matekane as an indecisive leader who takes his governance cues from the last person he speaks to.
Main Democratic Congress (DC) opposition leader, Mathibeli Mokhothu, recently went as far as claiming that the Prime Minister is so incompetent that he does not even chair Cabinet meetings. Mr Mokhuthu claimed Mr Matekane delegates that role to Ms Majara while he remains quiet in the Cabinet meetings done every Tuesday.
The Prime Minister’s critics say instead of pandering to Mr Lephema’s interests, he should have instead fired him after his poor performance at the local government and home affairs ministry.