Mohalenyane Phakela
THE bitter fight between the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Matjato Moteane, and the Director of Civil Aviation, Motsoaole Lesupi, over flight permits has taken a dramatic twist after the latter was suspended this week pending an investigation into his conduct.
The Lesotho Times has seen a letter written by the ministry’s principal secretary, Tšepang Koele, dated 7 August 2023, informing Mr Lesupi of the suspension.
Mr Lesupi allegedly went against Mr Moteane’s wishes and banned foreign airlines from transporting diamonds out of the country, leading to a fallout between the two officials.
According to the letter authored by Ms Koele, Mr Lesupi contravened the law when he effected the ban.
“Kindly be informed that a decision has been made to suspend you with immediate effect from all your official duties and responsibilities with full pay, pending disciplinary investigations into your alleged misconduct and violation of section 15(6) of the Public Service Act 2005, read with sections 3(1)(e) and 3(2)(f) of the Codes of Good Practice 2008,” Ms Koele wrote.
“The decision is made to safeguard against any possibility of tampering, influencing and/or interfering with evidence, witnesses and the investigations.
“While on suspension, you are still expected to observe and maintain discipline and appropriate conduct befitting a public officer. You are not allowed to come to work premises unless requested by your employer to attend investigation meetings or hearings.”
Section 3(1)(e) states: “A public officer shall perform all duties and exercise all powers that have been assigned by a proper authority to his or her office,” while Section 3(2)(f) says “a public officer shall not, by any act or omission, wilfully fail to comply with or disregard any provisions of the law or any lawful instruction given by any proper authority”.
Contacted for comment, Mr Lesupi acknowledged receipt of the suspension letter.
“It is true I have been served with the suspension letter. Well, I am not in a position to state the way forward as my legal team is yet to advise on that issue,” Mr Lesupi said.
Basotho National Party leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe, has accused Mr Moteane of allegedly facilitating the irregular export of diamonds from Lesotho by top mines Letśeng Diamond, Storm Mountain Diamond, Mothae Diamond, and Liqhobong Diamond.
In addition, local aviation company, Mohahlaula Airlines, in March this year instituted a High
Court litigation to order the government to force the four mines to use the company’s planes to ferry the diamonds out of the country.
Mohahlaula’s chief executive officer, Phafane Nkotsi, claimed the mines were bound by law to use local airlines and his company was the only airline in operation entitled to transport the diamonds out of Lesotho.
Mr Nkotsi accused Mr Moteane of usurping Mr Lesupi’s powers to issue permits to foreign airlines to transport the diamonds out of Lesotho.
He also demanded M10 million in compensation from the government for what he said was the loss his company had suffered as a result of the “illegal” use of foreign airlines to export the diamonds while his own planes lay idle.
This matter is still pending before the High Court.
