Moteane unperturbed by job loss

MOTSAMAI MOKOTJO

MASERU – Works and transport minister, Neo Matjato Moteane, says he doesn’t mind being kicked out of cabinet – as long as it is done within prescribed constitutional realms.

This follows a recent publication of a report of a joint sitting of the Economic and Development Cluster and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and a chorus from a lot of the members of the National Assembly recommending his ouster.

A defiant Moteane has told this publication that he doesn’t comprehend the recommendation that he has labelled haphazard.

“I don’t know what they want. Do they want for me to be fired from cabinet, or to be reshuffled, or to be kicked out of the country,” Moteane said.

He further argued that since the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offenses (DCEO) is now “outside opposition’s reach” it should thoroughly investigate the initial M50 million cost of the tender that eventually rose to a staggering M184 million – raising suspicion of corruption.

“My boss (Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane) will only make determinations after thorough investigations by the DCEO. But make no mistake, I am not scared of being fired,” he said.

Moteane takes this position following publication of an article by the Public Eye on the minister’s mulled sacking and the committee’s move to invalidate the M184 million Moshoeshoe I International Airport facelift two weeks ago.

Debates on the recommendations affecting Moteane, staffers of the ministry he heads as well as continued government support to the Moshoeshoe I International Airport rehabilitation project – which has landed the minister in soup – continue to rage in the august House as deliberations on proposed budget allocations for his ministry heat up.

Some legislators are calling for the Ministry of Works and Transport not to be given its share of the budget while another section, mainly from the government benches want the allocation passed.

A PAC report, tabled last week, maintains that the minister should fall on his sword, adding pressure on Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane to axe Moteane.

Apart from calling for Moteane’s sacking the report also calls for the “Immediate cancellation of the LSP contract (RFP Reference Number: GOL/001/2023/24) and re-tendering under an open international competitive process. The Public Procurement Act Section 147 (a)(ii), (v), and b(f) provide for the legal provisions for termination. The new tendering process should align with ICAO audit reports (2007 and 2022) recommendations on safety and aviation standards.

Disciplinary action should be taken against the Principal Secretary, the Deputy Principal Secretary, and Director of BDS, and they should be dismissed.”

The committee further recommended that the police or Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences should further investigate the procurement process of the tender to ascertain the criminality and corrupt practice and proceed with court cases.

While seeking Moteane’s removal for conflict of interest and alleged misconduct, the committees has gone further to call for the strengthening procurement oversight to prevent similar occurrences in future government projects, the report reads.

The airport, a crucial economic gateway for Lesotho, is undergoing a multi-million Maloti facelift aimed at modernizing its facilities and boosting regional connectivity.

The project has sucked Moteane in with the award of a portion of the lucrative multi-million tender to Khatleli Tomane Architects (PTY) LTD, a company Moteane co-founded.

Critics have steadfastly claimed that Moteane has benefited from the contract, despite his assertion to have severed ties with the firm; a position also held by the parliamentary committees following investigations.

However, the minister claims to have resigned from the company before the tender was awarded, dismissing the allegations of his involvement as a mere public perception.

The minister further suggested that “the fact remains that I have resigned, and I was not obligated to go around ensuring everyone knows my personal business. We made a formal declaration confirming my legal departure from the company.”