Mokhothu declares war on RFP rule
Condemns ruling party’s ‘empty slogans’ as unemployment, nepotism surge
‘MANTŠANG KHUTLISI
MASERU – Opposition leader, Mathibeli Mokhothu, launched a blistering attack on Lesotho’s ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) government last weekend, condemning its “empty slogans and sugar-coated lies” amid soaring youth unemployment, economic decline and alleged corruption.
Addressing a charged Democratic Congress (DC) rally in Maseru at Matala Phase II, Mokhothu spotlighted the crisis facing Basotho youth, citing scenes of “tens of thousands” braving freezing queues for just 500 positions recently advertised by the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).
“This isn’t a statistic – it’s a cry of hopelessness,” he declared to roaring applause. “When young people line up in the cold for 500 jobs, you see the depth of the RFP’s failure.”
Mokhothu accused the government of betraying public trust through unfulfilled promises and “brainwashing” citizens. “They are PR experts but governance amateurs,” he stated, adding that street vendors – “our mothers, sisters and brothers” – faced violent crackdowns while struggling to survive.
Linking factory closures to economic paralysis, he warned: “No factories mean no workers. No workers mean no commuters. Taxi operators now starve, breeding poverty and anger.”
The DC leader then escalated his critique, alleging nepotism in LDF recruitment.
“Documents reveal powerful families demanding jobs for relatives – undermining merit and betraying youth who competed fairly,” he claimed, calling it a “direct assault on LDF’s integrity.”
In a climactic call to action, Mokhothu urged civil servants, vendors and youth to unite under the DC banner.
“Perish alone or stand together! In DC, there is home, hope, and harmony.”
Pumping his fist as crowds chanted “Down with corruption!”, he framed the RFP as a regime “out of touch with the people.”
With Lesotho’s economy faltering, Mokhothu’s rallying cry signals an intensified opposition campaign for accountability and change.
