Opposition leaders unite to condemn Matekane
‘MANTŠANG KHUTLISI
MASERU – Opposition party leaders have joined forces to sharply criticize Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane’s government, citing a series of failures – including its inability to uplift the lives of Basotho. They accuse the administration of widespread corruption, neglecting the poor, and prioritizing projects that fail to benefit ordinary citizens.
The leaders, some of whom previously held government positions, claimed they have learned from past mistakes and are now holding the current administration accountable for its shortcomings.
On behalf of the joint leadership, Basotho National Party (BNP) leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe, acknowledged their mistakes while in power emphasizing that they have taken those experiences as lessons, and it is precisely that awareness that drives their commitment to correcting past missteps.
His remarks suggested willingness to take responsibility and a desire to restore public trust by addressing previous shortcomings.
The leaders who spoke included Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane of Popular Front for Democracy (PFD), Mofomobe, Dr Mahali Phamotse of United for Action and Transformation (UAT), Professor Nqosa Mahao of Basotho Action Party (BAP), Samonyane Ntsekele of All Basotho Convention (ABC), Tefo Mapesela of Basotho Patriotic Party (BPP) as well as Mathibeli Mokhothu, Leader of the Opposition and leader of Democratic Congress (DC).
Together, they shared one message – that the government is not doing its job, and Basotho are suffering because of it. Mathibeli Mokhothu, speaking on behalf of the opposition, said the government is spending a lot of money on building roads while ignoring the most important need of the people which is employment.
“This country cannot survive on roads alone, people need jobs, they need food, they need opportunities, you cannot feed people roads,” Mokhothu said.
He added that Matekane is using government tenders to benefit his own interests and those of his friends, instead of helping the people who trusted him with their votes. Mokhothu said chiefs need to be paid as promised by the government.
Speaking strongly against corruption, Mahao said many people in the Matekane’s government are not working to serve the country but are only looking for ways to make themselves rich.
Mahao took a swip at the Maseru rejuvanation project visibly making the capital city look clean and modern.
“This is no longer a government of the people, it is a home for corruption, the Maseru development project, for example, is not creating jobs, it is just window dressing to make it look like something is being done, but in truth, it is failing the youth. It is Dubai in a sea of poverty,” Mahao said.
Mahao warned that the country is heading in the wrong direction and needs leaders who care about the future of Basotho.
In an earlier presser by the BAP on Tuesday, Mahao indicated that a storm is brewing within the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) as serious allegations of government interference and corruption in relation to the recruitment and operations of the company’s board members.
Mahao said the controversy has now reached the highest levels of government, with the prime minister reportedly displeased over the appointment of Mary Bosiu as chairperson of the LEC board.
Mahao said one of the most alarming revelations involves Bosiu, who was appointed chairperson of the board. According to reports, Mahao alleged Minister Mohlomi Moleko informed Bosiu that the prime minister was unhappy with her appointment and preferred Thabo Khasipe to be chair instead.
Khasipe currently works for the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which raises questions about the Prime Minister’s intentions, Mahao quipped.
Bosiu reportedly received a threatening phone call from Joseph Malebaleba an RFP MP, who claimed to be an advisor to the prime minister from the Thaba Bosiu constituency in which he (malebaleba) threatened Bosiu and contributed to her decision to step down as chairperson as well as deputy chairperson of the board, Mahao added.
BNP leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe, said that people all over Lesotho are tired of the way the country is being run.
Mofomobe narrated that young people are angry because they are unemployed, traditional leaders are unhappy because they are being ignored, and healthcare workers in rural areas feel neglected too.
He added that chiefs also have had enough of the current government except Chief Khoabane Theko who seems not to care about what other chiefs are demanding.
“Our people are tired, meanwhile, the prime minister is silent while corruption spreads in his cabinet, the Minister of Agriculture, for example, is involved in corrupt activities, and the prime minister knows this but does nothing, the government’s silence in the face of such issues proves that it is either unable or unwilling to act,” he added.
AUT leader Phamotse also spoke strongly against the current government and said that after only a few months, it became clear to her that the people of Lesotho had made a mistake by voting for the current leaders.
Phamotse said Lesotho is in serious trouble and that people will be fooled again in the next elections, bought with money and empty promises.
She further warned that if things do not change soon, the country faces a bleak future.
Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane of the PFP raised concerns about the rising cost of living in Lesotho. He said that basics such as food are becoming too expensive for ordinary people.
“It is not right that the government buys beans from local farmers and then those same beans are sold at high prices in the shops, how can a person afford to eat when even their own produce is unaffordable?” he asked.
He continued to say the government is failing to protect its people from high food and electricity prices, and from poverty in general.
All the opposition leaders agreed that the current government is out of touch with the needs of the people. They said it has failed in its promise to bring change and progress, and instead has created more frustration among Basotho.
They highlighted key issues which the country is currently facing being high unemployment, especially among the youth, widespread corruption in government offices, expensive electricity and food prices, poor public services as well as lack of real development that benefits ordinary citizens
They jointly stressed to continue to speak out and put pressure on the government until there is real action and improvement.
