Editorial
Parliament received a report that exposes one of the most corrupt procurement scandals at Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital. A report backed by evidence. A report that documents serious violations of the Procurement Act. A report that reveals how Foreign Affairs Minister’s wife manipulated processes, ignored procedures and signed an agreement with a company that NEVER participated in the procurement stages at all.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) did its work. It interviewed witnesses. It reviewed procurement documents. It examined every decision that led to this mess. Its recommendations were simple, lawful and urgent:
1. Terminate the contract between QMMH and Tsebo Health Solutions within 30 days, because it was improperly awarded.
2. Order the Auditor General to conduct a full audit within 60 days, to determine financial exposure and confirm any legal breaches.
3. Institute disciplinary action against all officials involved in conflicts of interest and procedural violations.
4. Seek expert guidance before attempting to lease private healthcare services in future, to protect public funds and ensure compliance.
These were not radical demands. They were the minimum standard for accountability. Yet twenty three Members of Parliament fought to bury this report. They chose secrecy instead of transparency. Protection instead of truth. Political survival instead of public interest.
Here are the twenty three who stood against accountability:
Nthomeng Majara (RFP)
Ntoi Rapapa (AD)
Mootsi Lehata (RFP)
Nthati Moorosi (RFP)
Pitso Lesaoana (RFP)
Thuso Makhalanyane (RFP)
Letsema Adonts’i (RFP)
Mamoipone Senauoane (RFP)
Tello Kibane (RFP)
Nku Mohlalise (RFP)
Lehlohonolo Hlapise (RFP)
Maimane Maphathe (RFP)
Lejone Mpotjoane (RFP)
M Ramakatsa (RFP)
Karabo Pholosa (RFP)
Chabaseile Mabusela (MEC)
Matankiso Nyaniso (RFP)
Vuyeswa Tsheka (RFP)
Teboho Malataliana (RFP)
Bolala Khesa (RFP)
Lehlohonolo Hlaphisi (RFP)
Malothoane (RFP)
M. Ramakatsa (RFP)
These are the MPs who believed Basotho did not deserve to know how their hospital was handed over through an irregular procurement process. They looked at a report exposing conflicts of interest, misleading documentation, procedural violations, and a contract signed by a company that did not even submit an Expression of Interest. Then they chose to hide it.
This is not leadership. It is corruption.
When these MPs come to your villages with polished speeches and warm handshakes, remember where they stood when the truth mattered. Remember that they hid evidence of wrongdoing in the health sector. Remember that they protected a broken system instead of protecting the people who elected them.
Lesotho cannot grow under leaders who defend secrecy at the expense of national wellbeing. The twenty three made their choice. Now Basotho must make theirs.
Their political careers should end exactly where the report they buried begins. With honesty. With accountability. With the people refusing to reward those who chose corruption over the nation.
