Mohloai Mpesi
AMID growing corruption allegations against Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s administration, opposition parties are discussing plans to table a second motion of no confidence in the government.
This possibility emerged at a press conference held by opposition leaders on Wednesday at the Transformation Resources Centre (TRC) Hall.
United in their dissatisfaction with Mr Matekane’s government, the opposition leaders criticised the administration’s handling of corruption, high crime rates, unemployment, and other socio-economic challenges.
The briefing was attended by opposition leaders in parliament including: Mathibeli Mokhothu, of the main opposition Democratic Congress (DC); Basotho National Party (BNP)’s Machesetsa Mofomobe; Basotho Action Party (BAP)’s Professor Nqosa Mahao; United Africans Transformation (UAT)’s Dr Mahali Phamotse; All Basotho Convention (ABC)’s Deputy Leader Samonyane Ntsekele; Basotho Patriotic Party (BPP)’s Tefo Mapesela; Popular Front for Democracy (PFD)’s Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane; and, Mpulule Political Summit (MPS)’s Remaketse Sehlabaka.
BNP leader, Mr Mofomobe, explained that his October 2023 motion for a no-confidence vote against Premier Matekane’s government remains active in parliament, as he had not withdrawn it.
Mofomobe initially filed the motion on October 16, 2023, with support from then-DC legislator Mootsi Lehata. Mr Lehata has since switched allegiances from the opposition DC to Mr Matekane’s ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) in May this year.
The motion was put on hold by Speaker of the National Assembly, Tlohang Sekhamane, after the RFP’s Thaba-Moea constituency legislator, Puseletso Lejone, challenged it in the Constitutional Court.
Mr Lejone’s case argued that the 9th amendment to section 87(5)(a) of the Constitution was unconstitutional.
The section prevented a sitting prime minister from dissolving parliament if faced with a no-confidence vote. Instead, it required lawmakers to elect a new prime minister, who would serve for the remainder of the parliament’s five-year constitutional term.
The court ruled in Mr Lejone’s favour, but the opposition’s subsequent appeal was unsuccessful.
Mr Mofomobe reiterated that the motion was still with the Speaker and could be revived at any time, citing widespread dissatisfaction with Mr Matekane’s leadership among the public and MPs.
“Mr Sehlabaka has expressed no confidence in the government, as have I and many Basotho,” he said. “The motion is still on the Speaker’s desk.”
He emphasised that reviving the motion would require agreement among opposition leaders, since the outcome depends on their numbers.
“This is not a decision I can make alone — it’s a matter for opposition leadership to discuss,” he said. “For now, we do not have confidence in the Prime Minister, and it seems many others share that view.”
MPS leader Mr Sehlabaka expressed his lack of confidence in the Prime Minister and his administration.
He emphasized, however, that a motion of no confidence is intended to alert the government to their shortcomings and remind them of their responsibilities, not necessarily to remove them from office.
“In reality, none of you truly have confidence in him, unless someone has a personal issue. The main purpose of a no-confidence motion is to prompt the government to address its failures, not to cause its downfall,” Mr Sehlabaka said.
While the government remains in power, it is important to make them aware of areas where they are falling short, and if they fail to improve, removal could be considered, he added.
“The role of the opposition is not to overthrow the government, but to help ensure it does the right thing. For example, perhaps they will eventually create the 70,000 jobs they promised in a week, but that seems unlikely, since Mr Matekane’s actions suggest otherwise. That is where my concern lies,” Mr Sehlabaka said.
Mr Matekane announced a comprehensive plan to create 70,000 jobs across multiple sectors in Lesotho on Monday last week, targeting the country’s high youth unemployment rate.
This initiative follows strong advocacy from youth organisations and political youth wings, who urged the Prime Minister to take decisive action on the issue.
Recognising the urgent need for employment, especially among young people, Mr Matekane outlined several bold strategies.
Key measures include lowering taxes and reducing the public service retirement age to 50, with the aim of opening up government job opportunities for younger applicants.
The government will recruit 6,000 young people immediately, including 3,000 for rural road construction. Each quarter, 8,350 will be hired for waste management, and 1,220 jobs will be created through a climate resilience tree-planting programme.
In the energy sector, about 3,066 jobs will be created, mainly for electricity connectivity and fuel statistics. Agriculture support includes the purchase of 200 tractors, generating at least 200 jobs.
Plans also include 3,160 long-term skilled jobs and 10,800 temporary positions. Other efforts include hiring 450 youths for wool and mohair promotion, supporting 80 young farmers through SADP II, and continuing the Sebabatso programme, which has already helped over 1,000 youths.
The National Volunteer Corps will engage 2,500 volunteers, and the PSLP has enabled 2,500 Basotho — 40 percent youth — to start businesses. Currently, 950 young entrepreneurs are being supported, and 663 jobs have been created through the school feeding scheme.
Mr Matekane said these initiatives aim to reduce unemployment and create opportunities for youth, with around 60,000 jobs expected by July across all 10 districts. He pledged to personally monitor progress with weekly visits.
On the issue of corruption, Mr Matekane challenged anyone with evidence of wrongdoing by his ministers to come forward so he can take action, including dismissal and prosecution.
This stance has drawn criticism from the opposition, particularly after a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report implicated Minister of Public Works and Transport, Matjato Moteane, in awarding a subcontract to his former company, Khatleli-Tomane Architects in the ongoing M184 million Moshoeshoe I International Airport rehabilitation project.
The PAC has called for his dismissal. Additionally, Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police Minister, Lebona Lephema, faces allegations over the acquisition of the Mothae Diamond Mine without a transparent bidding process, raising further concerns about corruption within the Matekane-led government.