– Matekane failed to call Letsoela and cohorts to order- – Matekane practices nepotism
- – RFP govt unable to create jobs
- – RFP govt lied to voters
Revolution For Prosperity (RFP) faces yet another internal factional battles. The Peka constituency member of parliament (MP), Hon. Mohopoli Monokoane, has fired a salvo at Prime Minister Sam Matekane, accusing him of incompetence and poor leadership in both the government and at party level.
Hon Monokoane’s letter, which leaked to the media, accused the RFP leader and PM of dictatorial tendencies and of “discriminating against RFP legislators”.
Hon. Monokoane confirmed the authenticity of the letter to Lesotho Tribune.
Two weeks ago Hon. Monokoane exited the RFP MPs’ WhatsApp group citing lack of peace and unity in the party.
His WhatsApp message read: I tried to work a way for us all to build peace, it seems like I’m failing. Stay well, ho ea ka makhoro ha se ho lahlana. Goodbye, (loosely translated we will meet again).
Hon. Monokoane said his party [RFP], is failing to create jobs, by reopening closed textile factories as per election promises. It was also failing to create market access to Basotho’s products.
He instead said opportunities were being created for a select people “close to the leader of the party.”
Hon. Monokoane added that the Matekane had failed to discipline three security chiefs, commander of Lesotho Defense Force Mojalefa Letsoela, former Police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli, and former National Security Services (NSS) Director General Pheello Ralekoane on their treasonous speech on the 16th October 2023.
These three chiefs released a televised speech that sought to direct the opposition political parties in parliament, to stop their motion of no confidence against PM Matekane, but to instead focus on the passing of the so called reforms.
Hon. Monokoane told Matekane that he failed to distance himself and the government he leads from the statement made by these security chiefs.
The Peka MP was further critical on Matekane’s administration for attempting
to sabotage the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)’s move from the his [Matekane] MGC Park to an alternative office space in Maseru West. He described the attempt as “act that undermines Lesotho’s democracy”.
RFP MPs sources close to Hon. Monokoane said there are as many as sixteen MPs fully behind the Peka legislator waiting for him to issue the “marching orders”.
“Our challenges started during the first few months of assuming power, Dr. Phamotse was correct, RFP has leadership crisis and is probably the most corrupt party to have ever assumed power. It is run like a boys club, where friends take care of each other to the detriment of the entire movement,” said RFP MP.
The MPs went further that majority of RFP parliamentary caucus are unhappy about the deployment of RFP MPs spouses to lush foreign service posts.
“We told our leader in no uncertain terms that what he’s doing is wrong. Shockingly he said that those people deployed using meritocracy!”
“The problem with this type of leadership is that one appears as if they’re always complaining because they didn’t make cut to cabinet but that is wrong. We told people to vote for us because of a certain set of promises, now seeing us go in an opposite direction without shame is shameful,” concluded one MP.
RFP Teyateyaneng (TY) constituency committees have defended Agriculture Minister Thabo Lephema, who has been accused of plotting to succeed Prime Minister Sam Matekane. The committees dismissed allegations as “unfounded and false”.
TY constituency chairperson, said, “We are dismayed that our legislator is pushing to oust the RFP leader. We, therefore, appeal to those who are hellbent on defaming the good name of our legislator to stop immediately because those accusations are unfounded and false.”
This he said referring to Hon. Monokoane who two weeks ago made a voice note “warning” PM Matekane about Lebona, who he claimed is out to oust him as the leader of RFP.
The internal conflicts within the RFP continue to raise concerns about the party’s stability and its ability to govern effectively amidst the ongoing disputes among its members.
