Matekane’s accountability promise tested

As ministers allegedly block investigation

MOTSAMAI MOKOTJO

MASERU – A cornerstone initiative of Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane’s government to reclaim stolen state assets is being sabotaged from within his own cabinet, a Public Eye investigation reveals, severely testing his administration’s vow to uphold accountability.

Ministers Ntathi Moorosi (Communications) and Limpho Tau (Prime Minister’s Office) stand accused of obstructing the official Government Assets Search Recovery Task Team (GASRTT) from investigating businessman Gong Ganquan’s illegal occupation of a government residence in Maseru West.

Elected in 2022, Prime Minister Matekane promised a full inventory and recovery of all state properties to combat systemic plunder dating to 1966. Minister Tau himself launched the 11-member GASRTT in March 2023, pledging it would “leave no stone unturned” in retrieving assets unlawfully acquired since independence.
Contradicting this public commitment, confidential sources disclose that Ministers Moorosi and Tau are protecting Gong Ganquan.

The situation escalated this month when police arrested Gong on allegations of unauthorized occupation and fraud related to the property, which he has allegedly demanded M3 million to leave.

A trusted insider confirmed that Minister Moorosi phoned police post-arrest, “directing them to drop all charges against Gong.” Although Minister Tau publicly denied instructing Gong’s release, he defended the occupancy, arguing Gong must stay to prevent vandalism – a stance directly at odds with GASRTT’s mission.

“We have seen no documents justifying his stay, yet ministers are acting like they control the process,” the source stated.

Confronted by Public Eye, Minister Moorosi was evasive, committing to answer questions about her interference but never following up.

Minister Tau previously contested the GASRTT’s very authority, stating, “There’s no gazette that establishes them; their role is to find property and report… not to initiate legal cases,” and warning of potential lawsuits against the government.

Public Eye obtained official 2021-2022 letters from then-Acting Principal Secretary, ‘Mabatung Khalane, urgently seeking the house’s allocation paperwork and stressing the ministry’s “dire need” to use it, noting it was merely “lent” to Chinese builders.

Critically, an April 2024 sworn affidavit confirms Gong acknowledges the property is government-owned, tacitly admitting his occupation is illegal.

This evidence is met with silence. GASRTT Chairperson Advocate Seeng Matšosa ignored inquiries; his deputy, Moepana Kopo, denied any knowledge.

‘Mabatung Khalane, now Principal Secretary-Cabinet, this week refused to comment.

Gong and his translator ceased communication after initial contact, with the translator threatening, “What if you will be sued?”
While police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli promised a probe, the apparent political interference threatens to derail justice and makes a mockery of the government’s accountability pledge.