Maseru
Questions are emerging over the appointment of Lesala Maphathe, the leader of the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) Youth League, to a senior civil service position within the Prime Minister’s Office, following documents indicating his placement as a Director at Grade J on the government payroll.
Documents seen by Lesotho Tribune, extracted from the government’s human resources and payroll system, show that Maphathe was formally assigned to the Prime Minister’s Office with effect from 1 January 2026, holding the position of Director and placed on Civil Service Grade J, one of the upper tiers in the public service structure.
According to the system records, Maphathe’s appointment is marked as “Active – Payroll Eligible”, with his duty station listed as Maseru. His assignment number, job title, grade, and organisational placement are clearly reflected in the official system interface, which is typically reserved for confirmed and approved civil service appointments.
Further payroll information indicates that the Grade J salary scale attached to the position reflects a value of M381,456.00, effective from April 2025, with the grade ceiling set at point 8. While the documents do not explicitly state the final notch or net remuneration payable to Maphathe, they confirm that the position is pensionable and fully integrated into the civil service payroll.
What has drawn particular attention is Maphathe’s political profile. As leader of the RFP Youth League, he occupies a prominent partisan role within the ruling party’s structures, frequently acting as a vocal defender of government policy and party leadership in public forums and on social media.
While political activists have historically transitioned into government roles, governance analysts note that senior civil service positions such as Director are, in principle, expected to be filled through merit-based, competitive, and transparent processes, in line with Lesotho’s Public Service Regulations.
The documents reviewed do not clarify whether the position was publicly advertised, whether competitive interviews were conducted, or whether Maphathe was seconded, contracted, or substantively appointed under standard civil service recruitment procedures.
Handwritten notes attached to correspondence related to the matter appear to reference internal discussions around director-level placements, but stop short of providing explicit justification for the appointment or detailing the selection criteria applied.
The appointment has also drawn concern from members of the public. Lerato Matsoele, a citizen who described herself as “deeply concerned” about the implications of the decision, questioned whether the appointment undermines the principle of neutrality within the civil service.
“I need clarity regarding the appointment of Mr Maphathe as the Director of the Lesotho Youth Apprenticeship Programme,” Matsoele said. “While he is a citizen who deserves employment opportunities like any other youth, his deep political ties are very concerning.”
Matsoele described Maphathe as a highly polarising figure, citing a recently circulated video in which he allegedly urged party supporters to defend the RFP “at all costs”. She also referred to remarks previously attributed to Maphathe in which he advised party leadership to stop advertising in local newspapers critical of the government.
“Now this same individual has been appointed to lead a strategic programme designed to combat youth unemployment,” she said. “Given his partisan history, how can we expect meritocracy to prevail in recruitment? Can we trust that opportunities will be granted to all, or will they be reserved for party loyalists? I speak simply as a concerned citizen.”
The Prime Minister’s Office has not yet responded to Lesotho Tribune’s questions seeking clarification on the circumstances surrounding Maphathe’s appointment, nor has it addressed concerns about the potential blurring of political and administrative roles within the state.
Good governance advocates warn that even where appointments are lawful, the perception of political favouritism can erode public trust in state institutions, particularly at a time when unemployment, public sector wage pressures, and service delivery challenges remain acute.
As scrutiny intensifies, attention is likely to focus on whether the appointment complied fully with Public Service regulations and whether sufficient safeguards exist to preserve the neutrality of the civil service.
Maphathe is no stranger to controversy. Two months ago, he addressed an RFP rally in Semonkong, calling on government to stop advertising with media outlets deemed to be critical of the administration.
For now, the documents establish one fact beyond dispute: Lesala Maphathe, a senior political youth leader, is now a Director within the Prime Minister’s Office, drawing a Grade J civil service salary from the public purse.
