PRIME Minister Sam Matekane this week summoned the Basotho Action Party (BAP) executive committee in a bid to defuse simmering tensions within the party. This comes amid fears that Professor Nqosa Mahao’s fallout with his principal secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Tankiso Phapano, could threaten the unity in the BAP and the government’s stability.
This content is for subscribers only. To subscribe, Click Here. Or Sign In
thepost can reveal that Mahao has hinted that he would resign if Matekane doesn’t fire or reassign Phapano.
But there are strong indications that Mahao doesn’t enjoy the backing of his executive committee and MPs in his fight with Phapano.
Inside sources this week told thepost that some members of the BAP’s executive committee and MPs are openly siding with Phapano and have been secretly lobbying Matekane to reshuffle Mahao from the Ministry of Energy to Sports.
A source said Mahao is aware of these manoeuvres, including a clandestine meeting in Maputsoe, and has said he would rather resign than be the subject of a humiliating reshuffle instigated by people he leads.
The source of the bad blood between Mahao and Phapano is not clear but it is understood that they have disagreed over tenders and the ministry’s direction.
The source said Matekane was first briefed of the running battles at the ministry some three weeks ago just as matters were coming to a head.
It is the second briefing which revealed a complete breakdown in the relationship that triggered Matekane’s meeting with the BAP’s executive committee and MPs on Monday.
Three people who were in that meeting said Matekane told the BAP officials to deal with the crisis before it affected the ministry and threatened the coalition government’s stability.
The BAP’s executive committee, including MPs and Mahao, then had a marathon meeting to discuss ways to make peace between Mahao and Phapano.
A source who was in that meeting said “it was clear to Mahao that the majority of the committee and the MPs were on Phapano’s side”.
“Mahao quickly realised that he did not have the backing of the majority and took a conciliatory approach. It was clear that the committee would rather have him resign than get Phapano removed from the ministry,” the source said.
“In the past Mahao had flatly refused to reconcile with Phapano because of seniority. But this time he appeared to be open to a meeting to discuss reconciliation.”
Both Mahao and Phapano told thepost last night that their relationship was still cordial. ‘“We are still in good books with Phapano until further notice,” Mahao said.
“However, we cannot predict the future.”
Mahao denied ever discussing Phapano’s dismissal or transfer with Matekane.
Phapano also insisted that he was working well with Mahao.
“We are still on good terms,” Phapano said, adding that the allegation that they were fighting was “baseless”.
The fallout between Mahao and Phapano has been quick and spectacular.
The two had been almost inseparable months before Mahao agreed to join the coalition government.
Phapano would use his car to drive Mahao around. They would attend party meetings together. Some party insiders saw Phapano as Mahao’s right-hand man and adviser.
Mahao allegedly strongly pushed for Phapano to be appointed as his principal secretary when he became energy minister.
But sources said Mahao started having second thoughts days after recommending Phapano and tried to get his appointment reversed but it was too late.
A source says within weeks Mahao was telling cabinet colleagues that Phapano had captured the ministry and he was unable to function as the minister.
“He started pushing to oust Phapano within days because they were already clashing. It’s been war from the first days,” said the source.
Staff Reporter
