All is not well in the ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) after one of its MPs last weekend fired a broadside at Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s leadership style. Isaac Monokoane who is the MP for Peka constituency said in an explosive open letter to Matekane that he was not happy with how the premier was managing party affairs. The letter comes after Monokoane was heard in an audio clip two weeks ago attacking fellow RFP stalwart and home affairs minister Lebona Lephema over the succession issue.
This content is for subscribers only. To subscribe, Click Here. Or Sign In
This time, Monokoane told Matekane that he was not happy with how the party was being administered.
He said “there is discrimination coupled with dictatorship” within the party.
“I write this letter because I have a complaint and a long-time whinge about the administration of this party,” Monokoane’s letter reads.
“I tried on several times to see to it that issues are addressed and to make the leadership of this party aware that there is discrimination coupled with dictatorship.”
“This has caused a feeling of solitude in me and caused uncertainty to other members like me,” he said.
Monokoane said he is depressed by the state of the party and how it was handling the affairs of Basotho.
He said his biggest gripe was the party’s failure to deliver on its election promises made two years ago.
“The policy to subsidise agricultural inputs to ensure that Basotho farmers are equipped to produce food and to ensure market success have not materialised until now,” he said.
“This policy has affected other sectors such as health, energy, and finance that could work towards finance development.”
He said this state of affairs “has not only (left RFP members dejected) but also Basotho at large who voted the RFP (into) power”.
“They hoped to see changes as per the manifesto.”
Monokoane said the RFP’s national executive committee is not working well with the party’s elected MPs.
He said a small clique close to the prime minister and the national executive committee make key decisions for everyone in the party.
The practice is causing a lot of disgruntlement within the party, he said.
He said he is worried that the RFP has already lost two MPs who have since defected to the opposition while one has formed his own party.
Rethabile Letlailana and Lephoi Makara are the two MPs who joined the Democratic Congress (DC) party earlier this year while Dr Mahali Phamotse now leads the African Unity Transformation (AUT) party.
He said the Matekane administration is not implementing policies that benefit the nation but “a small group closer to the bubbling pot of food”.
Monokoane said the promised jobs have not materialised.
“This situation in which a lot of factories have closed down is tarnishing the image of the leader, especially because he promised to create jobs,” he said.
Monokoane said Matekane was still to fulfil his electoral promise to create jobs for Basotho.
He also criticised Matekane for failing to condemn the security agencies bosses who spoke against a motion of no-confidence in parliament aimed at ousting the RFP leader.
“These statements belittled and opposed democracy,” he said.
“Lately the very same institutions have captured by force the building of the Independent Electoral Commission,” he said.
“These are signs of tyranny and a disregard of the pillars of democracy.”
Monokoane said some MPs are listened to more than others.
“This brings divisions in the party.”
“I have appealed many times to the leader to take control of these affairs for the benefit of the RFP and (create a) better standard of living for Basotho but (all has been) in vain,” he said.
Monokoane said he followed Matekane because of his manifesto which promised to grow the economy, create jobs and empower small businesses.
But none of these had happened, he said.
He also complained about what he called nepotism in the hiring of civil servants.
Peka constituency chairman Letlatsa Lipholo told thepost yesterday that they are fully behind Monokoane’s letter.
“He wrote that letter with our full knowledge and we support everything he said there,” Lipholo said.
He said their constituency is not happy with the government they voted for two years ago.
“We are not happy with the way our party is being administered,” he said.
The RFP spokesman, Mokhethi Shelile, said they were not surprised about the Peka MP’s complaints adding that the fact that party members can express their concerns is a sign that democracy is well and alive in the RFP.
“It is normal that a party as big as the RFP experiences conflicts,” Shelile said.
Nkheli Liphoto
