Setipa, PS relations sour

Staff Reporter

MASERU

TRADE Minister Joshua’s Setipa’s decision to suspend the board of the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) has further sullied relations with his Principal Secretary Majakathata Mokoena.

Mokoena was the chairman of the board that was suspended last Wednesday.

This week Setipa went a step further to remove Mokoena as chairperson of the board.

This means although there is a possibility that the rest of the board members will be reinstated the door has been closed on Mokoena.

Setipa was irked by reports that Mokoena had addressed the LNDC employees.

In a letter this week Setipa said Mokoena had undermined his authority during a meeting with the LNDC staff. He said the remarks at the meeting showed that Mokoena was not working in the interests of the corporation.

The minister said Mokoena was being removed with immediate effect and will be replaced by one of directors in the ministry to lead the board.

Last night Setipa refused to confirm Mokoena’s removal.

Mokoena confirmed the letter but refused to give further details.

“That is all I can say at the moment he said,” Mokoena said.

Sources close to the issue told thepost that relations between the two have been frosty since Mokoena arrived from the Ministry of Justice some four months ago.

Mokoena is reported to be vehemently opposed to Setipa’s decision to suspend the LNDC chief executive Kelebone Leisanyane.

Setipa said he had suspended the board to make way for a restructuring process at the corporation. He said the board’s charter was last revised in 2000 and national priorities had changed since then.

The restructuring, Setipa said, is meant to help the LNDC realign itself with national goals and needs.

He said the board will be reinstated in due course.

“I have suspended and not fired the board. It will be reinstated,” he said.