…says several RFP MPs are joining him
Mohloai Mpesi
THE Peka constituency legislator, Mohopoli “Hippo” Monokoane, is forming a new political party.
He says the party is poised to challenge the ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), with several RFP Members of Parliament (MPs) expected to defect and join him.
However, he declined to disclose the exact number of MPs he claimed are set to cross over, saying that would be revealed in due course.
Mr Monokoane, who recently left the RFP for the Basotho Action Party (BAP), told the Lesotho Times yesterday that he and the Matala constituency MP, Dr Tšeliso Moroke, were finalising the registration of their new party.
The duo left the RFP in February this year to join the BAP.
Mr Monokoane said he would be bringing along several disgruntled RFP MPs and intends to take Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s party head-on.
He said the new formation’s aim was to reshape the political landscape and position itself among the country’s top three parties.
“This is going to be a party that stands to compete with the RFP and the Democratic Congress. It is going to be a very big party, as I have lobbied RFP MPs and those from other parties.
“There are many Basotho waiting for us to complete everything and register the party. But we are not in a hurry. Some parties made the mistake of launching too quickly. We don’t want to repeat that,” he said.
He explained that their move to join the BAP was temporary and intended to help stabilise the party, whose leader, Professor Mqosa Mahao, has been struggling to shift it from the government benches to the opposition in Parliament.
Prof Mahao has failed to move to the opposition side after four of his MPs, including suspended deputy leader Motlatsi Maqelepo—who is also Minister of Sports, Tourism, Arts and Culture—opposed his decision to withdraw the BAP from the coalition government.
This followed Prof Mahao’s November 2024 dismissal as Minister of Energy. He had joined Mr Matekane’s government in November 2023 to help avert an opposition no-confidence vote but later fell out with both the Prime Minister and most of his party’s MPs.
Before Mr Monokoane and Dr Moroke joined the BAP, Prof Mahao only had the backing of one MP, Manyaneso Taole.
Mr Monokoane said he and Dr Moroke would remain BAP members until they formally launch their new party.
“I am forming a party with Dr Moroke and others whom I cannot disclose right now until the party has been formed. Most of them are RFP MPs,” he said.
He added that they were currently drafting the party’s constitution and manifesto, with plans to officially launch in March next year.
“We are in the process of drafting the constitution. After that, we will outline the structure of our executive committee.
“Right now, we are focused on groundwork, including the manifesto, before making any formal announcement.
“We will launch in March next year, not now,” he said.
He stressed that they were taking a cautious approach, having learned from other politicians who rushed to form parties but failed to build strong support.
“We must get the timing right. We also need to fully understand and own our constitution and manifesto before launching to avoid the conflicts seen in the RFP and other parties,” he said.
He added: “The centre of power is going to shift. This is politics—no one is overthrowing anyone. Everyone is doing their job. You might even find that we work together after elections. There are no permanent enemies in politics.”
Efforts to obtain comment from RFP spokesperson, Mokhethi Shelile, were unsuccessful. He said he was in Washington on official business and not privy to the matter.
He referred this publication to the party’s secretary general, Nthati Moorosi, but her phone was unreachable.
“Please contact Ms Moorosi to confirm whether the national executive committee has discussed this issue.
“I cannot comment before hearing from the executive committee. I do not have the facts,” he said.
Mr Monokoane left the RFP citing poor leadership, internal persecution, and lack of direction, arguing that the party operates without clear structures or adherence to its manifesto. He accused party leader Mr Matekane of running the party unilaterally and targeting dissenting MPs, including using resources to undermine him politically.
He further alleged that state institutions such as the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), the Lesotho Mounted Police Service, and the Lesotho Defence Force were being used to persecute dissenting MPs.
Mr Monokoane was in November 2024 accused by the DCEO of stealing fertiliser worth M42 000, later revised to M74 800. He was acquitted in December last year after the DCEO failed to prosecute the case.
He claimed the case exemplified the use of state resources to target dissenting MPs.
Dr Moroke has also raised concerns about poor administration within the RFP, including lack of grievance resolution platforms and alleged favouritism toward newcomers.
However, he could not be reached for comment yesterday regarding the formation of the new party, as his mobile phone went unanswered.
