Moteane stranded at airport

… as karma pays back

MOTSAMAI MOKOTJO

MASERU – Public works and transport minister, Neo Matjato Moteane, was beached at the Moshoeshoe I International Airport a fortnight ago and forced to cancel his official trip to Qatar.

Public Eye has established that the minister was left stranded after officials at his ministry failed to book tickets for his travel on time. Moteane was all packed and ready to fly out when he was sent back.

The regional trip, the paper has further learnt, was an aviation workshop meant to assess issues related to the sector – Lesotho was expected to participate represented by the minister.

“It was lack of oversight on our side; those people said they would handle the tickets,” he said questioned by the paper, adding that “but unfortunately substantive arrangements were not made.”

“I had low-level expectations about the trip, and eventually it failed,” a low-spirited Moteane said.

In what appears like karma, the minister fails to travel from an airport for which he is embroiled in a tender scandal – he’s accused of influencing the award of a M184 million tender to his former company, Khatleli Tomane Architects (PTY) LTD, for refurbishments at the same airport.

These claims are contained in a report on rehabilitation of Moshoeshoe I International Airport, issued by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last month.

The report further recommends Moteane’s ouster.

However, a defiant minister told Public Eye in an earlier interview that he doesn’t understand the “helter-skelter”provision by the PAC.

“I don’t know what 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 highlighted that since the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offenses (DCEO) was now outside “opposition’s reach,” it should thoroughly investigate the initial M50 million raising to the staggering M184 million.

“My boss (Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane) will make determinations after thorough investigations by the DCEO. I am not afraid of being fired,” he said.

The PAC report also highlighted “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.

It appealed for a new tendering process should align with requisite audit reports and recommendations on safety and aviation standards.

Moteane is accused of conflict of interest and alleged misconduct in his company’s questionable involvement in the airport’s rehabilitation project.

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

Moteane’s critics have steadfastly claimed that the minister has benefited from the contract, despite his assertion to have severed ties with the firm.

“I have resigned from the company,” Moteane told again told the paperin an earlier interview, dismissing allegations 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.”

The PAC maintains that the proximity of Minister Moteane is unacceptable.

Since controversy surrounded the Moshoeshoe I Airport contract, the PAC interrogated the works ministry’s principal secretary, Tšepang Koele, and other ministry officials about the tender process. Koele’s failure to provide satisfactory answers led to his arrest, along with other officials.

PAC Chairperson ‘Machabana Lemphane Letsie emphasized the importance of transparency to the officials, invoking the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act to highlight the legal obligations of those appearing before the committee.

“The public deserves transparency,” Lemphane Letsie declared, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations and the potential implications for governance and accountability.