Matekane overhauls cabinet

…in first major reshuffle since taking power

…. fires Shelile, Adontši

… introduces four new faces

…. but one declines appointment

Mohloai Mpesi

PRIME Minister Sam Matekane has implemented his first major cabinet overhaul since taking power in October 2022 in a move he claims is meant to foster efficiency and improve service delivery.

The sweeping changes announced yesterday have impacted about a dozen ministries, claiming the scalps of two powerful political figures – Trade, Industry and Business Development Minister, Mokheti Shelile and his counterpart at Environment and Forestry Letsema Adontši.

Both Messrs Shelile and Adontši appear to have taken their dismissals in the stride. They told the Lesotho Times last night they respected the Prime Minister’s prerogative to hire and fire Cabinet members.

The changes, announced by Government Secretary, Teboho ‘Mokela, yesterday see four new relatively unknown faces entering Cabinet. These are Voeswa Tsheka, Nkhethoa Seetsa, ‘Makatleho Motsoasele and ‘Mamokete Ntšekhe.

Ms Ntšekhe has been appointed Minister of Health, while Ms Tsheka takes charge of the newly established Ministry of Home Affairs and Police. Mr Seetsa was assigned to head the new Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship, and Ms Motsoasele has been appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. All four are legislators from the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), representing Mphosong, Thuathe, Mahobong and Motimposo constituencies, respectively.

However, Mr Seetsa is said to have declined his appointment. The Lesotho Times could not reach him for comment before going to print as his phone rang unanswered.

Reshuffled ministers

According to GS Mokela’s press release, Movement for Economic Change (MEC) leader Selibe Mochoboroane has been reassigned from the Health Ministry to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, while RFP’s Lebona Lephema moves from the now-split Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police to oversee the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development.

Lejone Mpotjoane has been moved from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations to the newly established Ministry of Energy and Mining, while Thabo Mofosi moves from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

Limpho Tau moves from the Prime Minister’s Office to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.

Contacted for clarity, the government spokesperson, Boitelo Rabele, said Mr Matekane’s decisions were informed by his long-term vision to see “a developed Lesotho, with improved service delivery and growth of the economy”.

Seetsa rejects appointment

Mr Rabele confirmed that Mr Seetsa had declined his appointment.

“Please be informed that Honourable Nkhethoa Seetsa, who had been appointed as Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship, has formally informed His Majesty of his intention to decline the appointment.

“Accordingly, the necessary legal processes will be undertaken to give effect to this decision, and he will not be sworn in as scheduled tomorrow (today),” Mr Rabele said.

Unaffected ministers

The other 10 ministers were not affected by the current reshuffle.

These are Professor Ntoi Rapapa, the Alliance of Democrats (AD) leader who is in charge of the Ministry of Education and Training; Motlatsi Maqelelo, the Basotho Action Party deputy leader, who is in charge of the  Ministry of Sports, Tourism, Arts and Culture; Tšeliso Mokhosi  of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy who runs the Labour and Employment ministry; RFP’s Richard Ramoeletsi who is in charge of  Law and Justice; Matjato Moteane – Public Works and Transport; Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane – Finance and Development Planning; Mohlomi Moleko – Natural Resources; Stephen Mputi – Public Service; Pitso Lesaoana – Gender, Youth and Social Development; and Nthati Moorosi – Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Coalition context

In  the October 2022 elections, Mr Matekane’s RFP garnered  a 56 seat landslide, only five shy of the 61 required to form government on his own.

He then formed a coalition with the MEC (five seats) and the Alliance of Democrats (three seats).

When Mr Matekane faced a vote of no confidence a year later, other political parties such as the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Basotho Action Party (BAP), BAENA, United for Change (UFC) and Hope Mphatlalatsane pledged their support for the government. Even though the RFP has since lost six Members of Parliament who crossed to other parties, it has also gained five others, full proofing  Mr Matekane’s coalition for now.

First reshuffle

This marks the first significant reshuffle by Mr Matekane nearly four years after he took over power.

The Prime Minister has often faced accusations of keeping non-performing ministers. The opposition accuses him of failing to deliver on his campaign promises.

Starting with 15 ministers in October 2022, Mr Matekane expanded his Cabinet by five ministers in November 2023 as he fought attempts to oust him through a vote of no confidence, bringing the total to 20. However, he fired Professor Nqosa Mahao as Minister of Energy in November 2024, reducing the number to 19.

Mr Matekane had for a long time ignored calls to overhaul his Cabinet.

The Prime Minister has now wielded the axe on two more ministers—both from his own party—without providing reasons. The number of ministers now stands at 21.

GS Mokela said His Majesty King Letsie III had accepted the Prime Minister’s advice to effect the changes with immediate effect, with the swearing in of new minister to take place at the Royal Palace today.

Shelile, Adontsi reaction

Both Messrs Shelile and Adontši say they respect Mr Matekane’s decision.

Mr Shelile told the Lesotho Times yesterday that Mr Matekane had not consulted him when appointing him in 2022, therefore he did not need an explanation for his removal.

“When the Prime Minister appointed me as Minister, he did not explain why. Now that he is releasing me, I accept with a happy heart. He is doing his job as Prime Minister to fix the squad.

“Now we must support the Prime Minister in running the country,” he said.

He added that he only learned of the decision to dismiss him after the National Assembly adjourned for the day yesterday.

“I was still in the National Assembly when I received a message that I was wanted. I only knew (that I was dismissed) when I got out,” he said.

For his part, Mr Adontši said he was not dismayed and would return to Parliament to continue serving his Mokhotlong constituency.

“I am not sad at all. If it appears I am not advancing the interests of the RFP and I am set aside (as minister) , I will gladly step aside and return to being a Member of Parliament, as per the mandate I was given.

“….The Prime Minister appointed me as a minister. So when he says it is enough, I accept,” he said.

He also cited challenges within his ministry, particularly his working relationship with Principal Secretary Maphakamile Xingwana.

“I was not working harmoniously with the PS in my ministry. However, recently things had started improving and we were working together.

“Since the beginning of my tenure as Minister, I have struggled. It was as if he did not want to work with me. The Prime Minister knew about the situation because I had reported it, but it was not addressed,” he said.

Happy MPs

Some RFP Members of Parliament have welcomed the reshuffle.

Qeme constituency legislator, Sello Hakane, congratulated the four MPs who have joined Cabinet.

“I see that most MPs I have spoken to are happy with the Prime Minister’s decision (to reshuffle). This shows that their concerns will now be better addressed. We congratulate the new appointees,” he said.

Koro-Koro MP, Abinyane Mahatanya, also supported the reshuffle, saying it would help the country progress.

“I accept the Prime Minister’s decisions. I am happy with them.

“Looking at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, it was too much for one minister and one Principal Secretary. Now that it has been split, I believe we will see significant improvements.

“As for the Health Ministry, Ms Ntšekhe is knowledgeable about health issues. She has been active in the Social Cluster Committee and is a nurse by profession, so she will add value,” he said.

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