Tsitsi Matope
The Deputy Minister of Finance, ‘Matšepo Ramakoae, says Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s “tough stance” on corruption and underperforming ministries has contributed to the current disharmony in the coalition government.
In a wide-ranging interview, Ms Ramakoae told the Lesotho Times that women in the coalition government — which comprises Dr Thabane’s All Basotho Convention (ABC), the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and Basotho National Party (BNP) led by Mothetjoa Metsing and Thesele ‘Maseribane respectively — had no problem working together and were not in support of anyone or any unethical practices that would destabilise this historic alliance.
However, the deputy minister, who is a member of the ABC, said Dr Thabane’s intolerance of corruption had sparked the friction among the three parties in government, leading to the current conflict which has since attracted the attention of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The three parties are now trying to find an amicable solution to their disagreement, which the LCD insists stems from the prime minister’s lack of consultation when making key governance decisions.
However, Ms Ramakoae begs to differ and insists the premier’s tough stance on corruption had not won him many new friends.
Ms Ramakoae also suggests while the ABC leader has indicated his commitment to the coalition, there are chances of an early election should the disagreements persist.
“What I know is the prime minister has made it clear that he will never tolerate corruption, no matter which political party the culprits are affiliated to.
“I don’t think he can be willing to compromise on his anti-corruption principle or forgive those suspected of corrupt practices just to save the coalition government.
“It is possible that he can decide to call for an early election if disagreements are going to be centred on issues around allegations of corruption.
“I think issues around corruption are serious and complex and only the courts have the capacity to deal with them,” Ms Ramakoae said.
The deputy minister gave her own ministry as a classic example of how corruption can cripple a government, insisting when she joined it in June 2012, its operations had been “ruined” by corrupt officials.
But after calls by the premier to eradicate corruption in all its forms, she had gone about cleaning the department, creating many enemies in the process, she said.
“When I started working here, so many things had gone out of hand. The ministry had basically disintegrated so much that almost everybody was grabbing whatever they could.
“In fact, there was corruption at almost every level of the ministry.
“Before the coalition government came to power in June 2012, many people were happier, so I understand why they would want to go against anybody who would want to ruin their happy times.
“I have realised that many people want to go back to their ‘good old days’ and I would not be surprised if that’s also the case in other ministries.
“However, the sad thing is corruption will not take us anywhere as a nation, and the prime minister has made this very clear, which has made him very unpopular in certain quarters.”
According to Ms Ramakoae, the country was receiving a lot of support from development partners and recently won a second compact from the American foreign aid agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, courtesy of Dr Thabane’s determination to fight corruption at every level of society.
“We have also been given M2.1 billion by the European Development Fund, which will help us implement our rural electrification programme, develop the water sector and strengthen good governance systems.
“If we work hard as a people of great integrity, we will go far. If we happen to choose corruption, then we will die as a nation.”
Ms Ramakoae cited how tenders were corruptly issued by some ministries, which she said was both shocking and unacceptable.
She said it was such rampant abuse of power by some government officials, which had created tension among the coalition partners.
“It’s shocking that some senior government officials have formed companies to award themselves tenders, including small tenders that can benefit our genuine private sector, which is largely struggling.
At the same time, we want to stand up and talk of creating sustainable businesses, and making the private sector vibrant when we are also the same people who are not supporting that private sector.
What economic growth are we talking about?”
She further said while the ongoing reconciliation talks between the three parties in government would establish the causes of the misunderstandings, how the three partners tackle corruption going forward, would still be a factor.
Proper consultations between all parties, she added, would help clear the air and establish what the dispute among the three partners is really all about.
“It’s important for us to be honest and establish what we are fighting for.
“I am not pretending not to deeply understand the causes and logic of the conflicts simply because
“I am an ABC member, but I am just wondering whether these issues affect ordinary people or the coalition as a whole, or do we have some people who think the prime minister is too powerful and needs to have his wings clipped.”
Ms Ramakoae said the issue of how the prime minister should do his job under the coalition arrangement also needs to be clarified.
“There are different interpretations of the coalition government and the role of the prime minister, and the most unfortunate thing is some of these interpretations are against the country’s constitution.
“We are a coalition government, yes, but I don’t see how the government can be run as if we have three prime ministers.
“Where has that ever happened? We should be having one prime minister, and cannot, at the same time, turn around and say he should not run the country like a real prime minister.”
Ms Ramakoae further said while there is need for proper legislation to support and guide the operations of the coalition government, the authority of the offices of His Majesty King Letsie III and the prime minister should also be respected.
“We can have as many laws as we want and even make new coalition agreements or amend the current one, but the final law is the constitution which gives all the authority to His Majesty and the prime minister, unless some people have a different interpretation.”
Unity of purpose, discipline, respect, trust and teamwork should formulate the foundation that holds the coalition together, Ms Ramakoae added.
“To strengthen such principles down to the grassroots, there is need for the coalition to hold regular meetings at other levels other than cabinet.
“Most people from the constituencies do not understand what the coalition government is all about.
“It’s disappointing when our people view us as ministers of this or that political party and only representing members of those political parties.
“We do represent all the people, irrespective of different political affiliations.”
Ms Ramakoae further said while various decision-makers possessed different strengths, there was no harm in supporting each other and working as a team.
“The issue should not be this ministry is not performing because the minister belongs to the ABC, but arguments should be based on facts.
“When one ministry fails, we all fail as a government and therefore, I think the issue of underperformance is not personal but based on the need for us to succeed as a government.
“No one is safe from being fired. We can all be replaced by more competent people.”
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