Mofomobe consolidates grip on BNP

MASERU – Basotho National Party (BNP) stalwart, Moeketsi Hanyane, says he will bounce back after his faction was thrashed at the party’s elective conference last weekend.

Hanyane, who was the BNP secretary-general before the election, had clashed with leader Machesetsa Mofomobe over the running of the party.

None of the candidates aligned to Hanyane won at the conference which saw Mofomobe consolidate his grip on the BNP’s National Executive Committee.

But a defiant Hanyane told thepost on Tuesday that despite his heavy loss, he will bounce back at the next conference in 2026.

“I have walked this path before, I am not angry because I will come back for the first or second position soon,” Hanyane said.

The first position is of the party leader while the second is of the deputy leader.

Mofomobe’s position was not up for grabs after he won a five-year tenure last year.

Sam Makatse was elected the new BNP deputy leader replacing Bothata Lephema.

The new chairman is Masheane Rapholo, who replaced Sam Makatse.

Former Independent Electoral Commissioner, Advocate ’Mamosebi Pholo, is the new deputy chairperson. She takes over from Makatse while stalwart ’Mapulumo Hlao is the new secretary-general, deputised by Paul Malibo.

The treasurer is still Keletso Mphoso, deputised by ’Masetota Leshota, who was the BNP’s spokesperson.

The new spokesman is David Letela, the youth league leader and an outspoken supporter of Mofomobe, while Setofolo Hloloane is the new national coordinator.

Hanyane blamed his loss on his “brave character and some political games”.

“I accept that I went to the conference with a bad taste of the smear campaign that was played against me by some members who blamed me for the national general election loss,” Hanyane said.

He added that even the team that was working with him during the campaigns ended up dumping him after he signed an affidavit in a case in which five members who were in his faction were suspended by the leader.

“They did not know that I was acting under directions of the NEC,” Hanyane said.

“The very same NEC went to that faction of mine to say I had turned my back on them by signing the affidavits,” he said.

Seeiso Bereng, Aupa Lebeko, Makama Monese, Lebohang Motaung, and Khotso Phafoli were suspended for openly accusing Mofomobe of failing to unite the party after a divisive leadership contest two years ago.

The five said they were worried about the maladministration of the party and the dwindling membership which was rapidly rendering the party irrelevant.

They challenged their suspension in the High Court and Hanyane signed an affidavit on behalf of the executive committee that suspended them.

Hanyane said he is confident that he will one day lead the party as he will use his time outside of the NEC to cleanse his name.

“I do not regret this loss, I am still the Berea secretary and Khafung treasurer, that is why I am still in office,” he said.

Speaking at the elective conference, Mofomobe pleaded with delegates to go back and “build oneness and peace between the BNP members who not see eye-to-eye”.

He said during campaigns there are always squabbles and after voting, members should remember that they still belong to the same party.

“We are not practising politics of hate and divisions,” Mofomobe said.

He said there is a lot of work for the new committee to reunite the party and serve the people who elected them.

Mpolai Makhetha & Nkheli Liphoto