MASERU — Fresh controversy has emerged within the Ministry of Local Government after it was revealed that a senior official on precautionary suspension has allegedly undertaken a government-sanctioned trip to Kenya.
The official, Mrs ‘Mating Mahooana, Director General of the Local Government Service, was formally placed on three months’ precautionary suspension pending disciplinary investigations into allegations including gross insubordination, abuse of authority, and irregular use of public resources.
Despite her suspension, well-placed government sources told Lesotho Tribune that Mahooana is currently outside the country on an official trip to Kenya — a development raising serious questions about adherence to public service rules and the integrity of the disciplinary process. The trip was allegedly sanctioned by Minister Lebona Lephema.
Suspension and allegations
The suspension letter, issued by Principal Secretary Dr Mpopo Tsoele, outlines a pattern of alleged misconduct central to public administration and financial governance.
Among the allegations are failure to attend a lawfully convened high-level ministry meeting; unauthorised travel within Lesotho using government resources; interference with official administrative processes; unauthorised foreign travel to Eswatini; attempting to authorise the reallocation of public funds without approval; and engaging in unauthorised recruitment and staff transfers.
The letter further states that under the Public Financial Management and Accountability Act, no public expenditure or official travel may occur without authorisation from the Chief Accounting Officer.
Contradictions at the centre
The terms of Mahooana’s suspension are unambiguous. She is prohibited from exercising any powers of her office, accessing government facilities or systems, or participating in official functions.
Her alleged involvement in an official overseas trip therefore raises a direct and pointed question: how does a suspended official undertake official travel?
If confirmed, the development would expose significant contradictions in government processes, particularly around the enforcement of disciplinary measures and control over public resources.
A test of governance
The situation places the ministry in a difficult position. It has invoked strict legal and administrative frameworks to justify the suspension, yet now faces allegations that those same frameworks are being selectively applied or quietly set aside.
The case touches on discipline within the public service, financial accountability, and respect for administrative hierarchy — concerns that go well beyond one individual.
For a government already under scrutiny over governance, the implications are hard to ignore.
Response awaited
Efforts to obtain comment from the Ministry and Minister Lephema were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Whether this reflects an administrative oversight or points to deeper inconsistencies in how authority is exercised within government remains to be established.
