Maseru – On Thursday 10 October, Minister responsible for Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC), Prof. Nqosa Mahao fired eight Board of Directors, whom Prof. Mahao had labelled as incompetent and putting LEC on the brink of collapse and load-shedding in his court papers filed about a month ago.
Prof. Mahao moved to have the now former board members ; ‘Mathapelo Ramakatane, Mosiea Mapota, Mokhoenene Lehohla, Molibeli Taele, Mokhethi Seitlheko, Pesha Shale, Seretse Mohlouoa removed, but they went to court seeking to stop Prof. Mahao from removing them. No relief was given to that effect, which is why Prof. Mahao managed to remove them.
In their place Prof. Mahao appointed, Seaja Ntsekhe, Nati Maphathe, Thabo Khasipe, Lebohang Ramaisa, Lerato Mphaka, Batalatsang Kanetsi, Moholisa Fako and Rethabile Sakoane.
This is the second time in 20 months the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) led government changes LEC board of directors and this time it comes at a time when the state utility company is on the brink of bankruptcy with debts in excess of M705 million.
In our last issue we reported that Eskom has refused a M300 million guarantee issued by Government of Lesotho for future bulk power supply.
Adding fuel to the fire, Cabinet is divided over whether to give LEC the much needed bailout to avoid load shedding during the crucial maintenance at ‘Muela Hydropower Station.
Our sources from Cabinet said the ministry of Finance wants to manage the affairs of LEC as a precondition to providing the bailout, a decision which is being ridiculed as not feasible and flouting all known good governance practices.
Lesotho Tribune reached to both ministries of Energy and Finance for their comments and they were not available at the time of going to print.
Governance specialist who spoke on condition of anonymity to Lesotho Tribune, blamed the RFP led government for failure to provide leadership and causing instability at LEC. He said it is disturbing that the RFP appointed board of directors, has been removed at such a crucial stage, where LEC needs all hands on deck to address the challenges it is faced with.
The governance specialist also took swipe at the prime minister for failing to provide leadership in a situation where Prof. Mahao and his principal secretary are fighting tooth and nail at the expense of an entire country.
“The prime minister should’ve either moved the ps or the minister in order to ensure that all focus is on how LEC turns around,” concluded governance specialist.
