Medical reports saga knocks out Nko hearing

MASERU – CONFLICTING medical assessments have stalled the disciplinary hearing of suspended Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) boss Dr Retšelisitsoe Nko.

Dr Nko was supposed to appear before a disciplinary panel on Tuesday but the High Court stopped the LTDC and its board from proceeding because of the contradictory assessments.

The High Court’s interim order says the LTDC and its board of directors should wait until his challenge for his suspension has been finalised.

His lawyer, Advocate Chris Lephuthing, told thepost yesterday that Dr Nko’s private doctor issued an assessment report that says he is unfit to stand in the disciplinary hearing.

The LTDC board, he said, took Dr Nko to Queen ’Mamohato Memorial Hospital where a doctor declared him fit for the hearing.

“Now the court will have to deal with these two conflicting medical opinions on February 20,” Advocate Lephuthing said.

Dr Nko filed an urgent High Court application after the LTDC suspended him in early January arguing that the decision had a “glaring element of bad faith and malice”.

He said the suspension was procedurally flawed because there was no complainant to instigate it and he was not granted a hearing.

Dr Nko was suspended after he was involved in a shooting incident with guests at an event at a Hillsview guest house on December 27.

He is alleged to have rushed home to take his gun after an argument with some of the guests.

Dr Nko and a guest sustained gunshot wounds in the scuffle that ensued.

Reports say the guests were trying to wrestle the gun from Dr Nko when the shots were fired.

The LTDC’s board suspended him two days later, alleging that he had failed to attend an extraordinary meeting called to discuss the incident.

Dr Nko argued that he could not attend the meeting because he was on sick leave.

He said the board suspended him without a hearing.

Staff Reporter