Govt assets recovery team’s credentials questioned
MOSA MAOENG and
MOTSAMAI MOKOTJO
MASERU – The credentials of the Government Assets Search Recovery Task Team (GASERTT) establishment in 2022, via a Cabinet memo, were critiqued during a joint sitting of the National Assembly’s Prime Minister Portfolio Committee this week. The sitting comprised the Public Accounts Committee, the Prime Minister’s Ministries and Departments, Governance, Foreign Relations and Information Cluster, the Law and Public Safety Cluster and the Chair of Portfolio Committees chairpersons, Mokhothu Makhalanyane.
GASERTT deputy chairperson, Moepana Kopo, was at pains to explain the skill-set of the 10-member team, which includes legal experts, members of the Lesotho Defence Force, Lesotho Mounted Service (LMPS), National Security Service (NSS), and Public Service.
When asked by Lithoteng Member of Parliament (MP), Kobeli Letlailana to ventilate the technical skills of the team in a bid “to compare credentials required for this job” Kopo indicated that they were not asked to provide their curriculum vitaes when they were first engaged.
“We use the term ‘expert’ very loosely,” when quizzed about one of the team members. However, Letlailana was having none-of-it, interrupting Kopo in seeking clarity without the need for an elaborative explanation. “When this team was first established, I did not ask for credentials,” a defiant Kopo said.
Letlailana indicated that all he wanted was to appreciate and form an opinion of the requisite skills of the team and thus be able to ascertain whether they are duly qualified.
He was quick to highlight that since Kopo cannot provide further details, he has concluded that “the team was not built on any merit or expertise; thus, we need to move forward with the understanding that we see them.” Meanwhile, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairperson, ‘Machabana Lemphane-Letsie and legislator Montoeli Masoetsa raised a concern about the reporting channels of GASERTT, highlighting “in the document we have been given… (which states) ‘that the Government Assets Search Recovery Task Team shall report monthly to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.’”
Then the question is: by virtue of her (Defence and Office of the Prime Minister Principal Secretary (PS), ‘Mabataung Khalane) occupying that office, what does PFMA (Public Financial Management Act) say about reporting mechanisms?” Masoetsa quizzed.
The issuing of giving tasks before us (as opposed to what the law indicates) and since we need to play an oversight role is unjust,” the legislator said, adding, “Is saying that the task hasn’t reported to her?”
“Matters relating to the work of the team are directly undertaken by them; even if they go out to seek government properties, they are not instructed by the PS,” Khalane said, adding that they then come to give reports.
But MP Machesetsa Mofomobe chipped in, also seeking transparency from the PS in terms of procedure since “once resources of the state are used, it is you who should account.”
“When people use resources it is upon you to take responsibility; there’s no way that people can do as they please,” Mofomobe highlighted, also noting “This cannot be allowed where you inform us that employees don’t answer to you!”
“I am not saying civil servants don’t account; I am saying this team was established by Cabinet,” Khalane said, insisting that the team does investigations and ultimately gives reports.
“However, as an independent team, I don’t control it by informing it of which investigations to undertake; it’s their own volition to do their own duties,” Khalane said.
Parliament summoned the recovery team after successive articles – Xie Seizes Government Property… Implicated former minister says deal legitimate, and the government’s asset recovery team is on John’s heels – by this publication.
The ensuing drama comes after Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane – during his inauguration in 2022 – announced that the government would take stock of all properties belonging to it in a bid to reduce wastage.
This was further articulated by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Limpho Tau, in March 2023, when he said the government had established an 11-member task team meant to investigate and reclaim its assets.
“The team has hit the ground running and is leaving no stone unturned in our quest to recover government assets that were acquired unlawfully by individuals since independence in 1966,” Tau said during a press briefing.
