Keiso Mohloboli
THE Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Selibe Mochoboroane, found himself with two principal secretaries (PS) this week, leaving him at a loss as to his next course of action.
This was after Nonkululeko Zaly — who was fired as the ministry’s PS early this year after constantly clashing with then communications minister, Tšeliso Mokhosi, but subsequently appealed her dismissal and won the case in the Constitutional Court last month — reported for work beginning Monday this week. The ministry had since employed Tšeliso Khomari as its new PS.
Nonkululeko Zaly
Mr Mochoboroane yesterday confirmed Ms Zaly was back at the ministry, but had not resumed her duties due to the presence of Mr Khomari in her previous office.
“I welcomed Ms Zaly and told her I don’t have any problem to have her back in office. But I informed her that I was waiting for the Acting Government Secretary (GS), Mr Moahloli Mphaka, who is currently in Zimbabwe for the SADC meeting, and the Public Service, to give me the way forward as Mr Tšeliso Khomari had since been appointed the new PS,” Mr Mochoboroane said.
However, the minister indicated since his ministry has a huge workload, he would appreciate two principal secretaries, given the opportunity.
“This ministry is quite huge and maybe two principal secretaries would do. I don’t have any problem accommodating the two of them, because there is so much to do here,” he said.
However, David Sehloho, who was Acting Government Secretary in the absence of Mr Mphaka, yesterday told the Lesotho Times he was not aware Ms Zaly had already started reporting for work.
“Based on Ms Zaly’s judgement, the High Court recommended that the government should seek guidance from its Chief Advisor, Attorney General (AG) Tšokolo Makhethe, on how to handle the matter because Mr Khomari is already occupying that office.
“The office of the GS has already consulted AG Makhethe’s office and awaiting for his advice, so I was not aware that Ms Zaly had already started going to work,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Ms Zaly were fruitless as her phone rang unanswered yesterday.
