BAP turmoil escalates

Maqelepo vows war

‘MANTŠANG KHUTLISI

MASERU – The Basotho Action Party (BAP) is grappling with an unprecedented leadership and legal crisis that threatens to fracture the party’s unity and redefine its political future. At the centre of the storm is the controversial suspension of former deputy leader, Motlatsi Maqelepo, a once-influential figure in the party’s upper echelons whose ongoing legal battle with party leadership has exposed deep rifts and raised broader questions about internal democracy, judicial authority, and political accountability in Lesotho.

The dispute, which began late in 2024, reached a turning point on May 2 when the Court of Appeal overturned a previous High Court ruling that had temporarily reinstated Maqelepo, reaffirming his seven-year suspension from the BAP.

The ruling has ignited passionate debate across political and legal spheres, as critics accuse the party of defying judicial decisions and entrenching internal power struggles that are spilling into the national political arena.

Maqelepo’s suspension, first issued by BAP leader Professor Nqosa Mahao and the Central Executive Committee (CEC), was based on allegations of gross misconduct and insubordination.

According to the party, he violated internal policies by directly communicating with Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane and holding an unauthorized constituency meeting in Berea, undermining the authority of party leadership.

These charges were vehemently denied by Maqelepo, who took his case to the High Court, arguing that the disciplinary actions were politically motivated and procedurally flawed. He claimed that his suspension was a strategic move by Mahao to sideline dissenting voices within the party and consolidate power.

In early 2025, Justice Molefi Makara ruled in favour of Maqelepo and fellow suspended Member of Parliament (MP), Tello Kibane, issuing an interim order allowing them to resume their duties. However, the BAP leadership refused to accept the ruling, appealing the matter in the Court of Appeal, which ultimately sided with the party.

The Court of Appeal’s ruling, which reinstates Maqelepo’s seven-year suspension until January 7, 2032, has emboldened the party leadership, with Secretary General Lepolesa Makutoane stressing that Maqelepo must adhere to party discipline or face further consequences.

“He is no longer permitted to participate in any BAP activity, nor is he a member of the Parliamentary Caucus, failure to renew his membership will amount to constructive resignation under the National Assembly Electoral Act,” Makutoane stated.

Makutoane also explained the practical implications of the suspension, particularly the urgency to appoint a new deputy leader. 

As he stated that their constitution requires the president or deputy to preside over all executive meetings. Relying solely on Professor Mahao is inefficient and unsustainable.

In that spirit, the party has swiftly replaced Maqelepo with Ralitapole Letsoela, a party MP from the Bela-Bela constituency, who now assumes the role of deputy leader amid tense and uncertain circumstances.

The legal and political battle has cost the BAP more than just time and resources; it has cost them stability.

Just this week, the BAP has gone further to officially notify the Speaker of the National Assembly, Tlohang Sekhamane, of significant changes within its Parliamentary Caucus, following the Apex Court’s confirmation of Maqelepo and Kibane’s suspension – both hold the party’s Proportional Representation seats in the House.

The letter announced the removal of incumbent caucus members, and the appointment of leader, Mahao, as Caucus chairman and ‘Mannyaneso Taole as secretary to the Caucus.

These developments, the letter penned by Taole says “mark a significant shift in the structure and leadership of the BAP Parliamentary Caucus.”

Once a coalition partner that helped stabilize Prime Minister Matekane’s government during the turbulent no-confidence vote in 2023, the BAP has now recalled its MPs and formally joined the opposition.

Professor Mahao, formerly Minister of Energy, has returned to the opposition benches, alongside his allies. The party’s dramatic shift is expected to reshape parliamentary dynamics, with questions already arising about the government’s majority and legislative agenda.

“The Speaker will now have to recalculate the majority, three of our members are no longer part of the BAP caucus, and we will be informing the Speaker in writing this week,” Mahao said.

The political turmoil has also exposed inconsistencies within the judiciary. Before Justice Makara’s favourable ruling to Maqelepo, Justice Mokoko had declined to grant relief to the suspended MPs.

This contradiction created confusion that only added fuel to the fire. Makutoane accused Makara of overstepping his authority.

“Justice Makara ruled unfairly. He knew he had no jurisdiction to decide as he did. Thankfully, the Court of Appeal has corrected this error. As far as we are concerned, this is final there is no higher court than the heavens,” he said.

The issue has now become a flashpoint in debates over judicial independence, the limits of party autonomy, and the role of courts in internal party disputes.

Legal experts are divided, with some arguing that the courts should refrain from interfering in political party matters unless constitutional rights are at stake, while others insist that the judiciary has a duty to uphold fair procedures and protect elected officials from arbitrary decisions.

Despite the ruling, Maqelepo remains defiant.

In a heated radio interview, he accused Mahao and Makutoane of manipulating party structures to serve personal interests.

“The Appeal Court never suspended us. It simply said our matter belongs in the Constitutional Court. I am still the Deputy Leader, and I will continue to fight,” Maqelepo declared.

“I was appointed by the national summit, not by Mahao or Makutoane, they have no power to remove me,” he added.

He further accused the BAP of hypocrisy and greed, criticizing its attempts to claim a share of government benefits while refusing to support the ruling coalition.

“You cannot claim government perks while boycotting its responsibilities, Mahao and Makutoane will not get a cent from us,” Maqelepo angrily said.

When asked about his political future, Maqelepo hinted at launching a broader campaign to unseat Mahao and reform the party.

“We want to expose Mahao for who he really is. He is toxic, not just for the BAP but for Lesotho’s entire political landscape,” he added.

As Maqelepo and Kibane stare down years of suspension, and with Letsoela stepping into the leadership void, the future of the BAP remains uncertain.

Once seen as a promising new force in Lesotho’s political arena, the party now finds itself mired in internal power struggles and reputational damage.

Political analysts argue that the situation underscores the fragility of coalition politics in Lesotho and the importance of institutional maturity in young parties. With elections on the horizon and opposition parties gearing up for a fresh contest, how the BAP navigates this storm could determine its survival or demise.

Meanwhile, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on the unfolding drama, a reminder that in Lesotho, the lines between politics and the courts are often blurred, and the struggle for power rarely ends at the ballot box.