New Ministers to be sworn-in

MASERU – PRIME Minister Thomas Thabane is expected to reshuffle Cabinet with the new ministers being sworn-in at the Royal Palace today.
Thabane’s spokesman, Thabo Thakalekoala, confirmed news of the reshuffle.
He said no minister will be fired in the shake-up.
The ministerial positions that have to be filled are those of Social Development, Police and Law and Constitutional Affairs.
Thakalekoala refused to disclose who the new ministers are.
He said those ministers will be seen today at the Royal Palace when they are sworn-in.

He said the appointment and swearing-in of ministers will be done by King Letsie III in line with advice from Prime Minister Thabane.
The Ministry of Social Development has been vacant since ’Matebatso Doti was fired in February.

Doti was fired after she threw her weight behind a rival faction headed by Professor Nqosa Mahao that has been battling to seize control of the ruling All Basotho Convention (ABC) party.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Temeki Tšolo, has been acting in the Social Development ministry.

Likewise, the Ministry of Police and Public Safety has been vacant since ’Mampho Mokhele’s resignation. She has since been deployed in a foreign mission in Ireland.
Mokhele was a Senator.

Defence Minister Tefo Mapesela acted briefly in the position before he was ousted allegedly over a flurry of differences between him and some top police officers.
Later, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Prince Maliehe has been acting in the position until now.
Another vacant position is that of Minister of Law following the ouster of Lebohang Hlaele.

Hlaele is a Senator from the All Basotho Convention (ABC).
It is believed that Hlaele, who is Thabane’s son-in-law, was also booted out after he backed Mahao for the party’s deputy leader’s position.
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Mokhele Moletsane has been acting in Hlaele’s position since he was dismissed.
Thakalekoala declined to reveal the names of the new ministers.
“I would be undermining His Majesty the King if I can reveal the names. But I know them,” he said.

There was speculation last night that the opposition Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) would be rewarded with a seat in Cabinet after it buried the hatchet against Thabane.
But LCD deputy leader Tšeliso Mokhosi was quick to dismiss the speculation saying all they want is a Government of National Unity.
“We have said we want a Government of National Unity (GNU) and we are serious about that,” Mokhosi said.

Majara Molupe