Moorosi Tsiane
…in fresh LMPS power struggle …as Mokete fights transfer to ‘junior’ post in new Logistics Department, … threatens court action
THE simmering power struggle within the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) has erupted into another explosive confrontation, with Chief of Police Advocate (Adv) Borotho Matsoso and one of his immediate juniors, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Paseka Mokete, once again at loggerheads over the latter’s removal from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to a lesser position in the newly created Logistics Department.
DCP Mokete has consequently declared war over Adv Matsoso’s latest decision, describing it as an unlawful demotion and threatening to drag the police chief to court unless he reverses it within three days.
Authoritative sources said Adv Matsoso had, on 27 October 2026, informed DCP Mokete of his intention to transfer him from his current powerful position of head of the CID to the new post of head of the Logistics Department. DCP Mokete was informed of the move as he was preparing to go on an eight-day vacation. He immediately protested.
However, the Chief of Police went ahead with the reshuffle on Monday this week, despite DCP Mokete’s lawyers challenging its legality and arguing that the police boss had no authority to transfer a Deputy Commissioner without consulting the Minister of Home Affairs and Police, Voeswa Tsheka.
The latest confrontation threatens to reopen a bitter feud between the two senior police officers that dates back to 2025, when Adv Matsoso made several attempts to remove DCP Mokete from the CID including an effort to actually suspend him. Those efforts were repeatedly thwarted by then Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, Lebona Lephema.
In October last year, the dispute escalated after Adv Matsoso suspended DCP Mokete, only to be forced to reinstate him days later following Mr Lephema’s intervention. Adv Matsoso also allegedly sought to have DCP Mokete arrested and charged with corruption over the release of a truck impounded at the Maputsoe Border Post for carrying undeclared cigarettes.
The latest transfer suggests that the battle over DCP Mokete’s position within the police hierarchy is far from over.
In a letter addressed to Adv Matsoso on Monday, with Ms Tsheka copied, DCP Mokete, through his lawyers Kuili Ndebele Chambers, challenged the legality of the decision, arguing that Adv Matsoso had overstepped his authority.
The lawyers contend that under the Police Service Act of 1998, the Chief of Police does not have the power to appoint or deploy Deputy Commissioners, arguing that such authority rests with the Police Authority (the minister).
“We are instructed by DCP Mokete as we hereby act and stand. He informs us that on the 27 October 2026, you had a meeting with him where you informed him that he was transferred forthwith from his current post of DCP CID to DCP Logistics. Be warned that our client has issues with the said transfer for the following reasons. In terms of Police Service Act 1998 you do not possess authority to appoint and deploy Deputy Commissioners, only the Police Authority (minister) has such authority,” the lawyers wrote.
Ndebele Chambers further argues that the decision was taken without giving DCP Mokete an opportunity to be heard, insisting that the 27 October meeting between Adv Matsoso and DCP Mokete was merely to communicate a decision that had already been made by Adv Matsoso.
The lawyers also accuses Adv Matsoso of acting unilaterally without consulting Ms Tsheka, as required under Section 13 of the Police Service Act.
“On assumption that you may have such powers, the client informs us that he was not given a hearing before a decision to transfer him was taken. The meeting on the 27 October 2026 was just to inform him of the decision taken. The client further informs us that the decision was done by yourself alone without consulting the Police Authority in terms of Section 13 of Police Service Act 1998,” the letter reads.
But the CID boss’s objections go beyond the alleged procedural irregularities. He believes the transfer is a calculated move to strip him of his seniority and authority within the police service.
His lawyers argue that Logistics was previously a small unit falling under the Planning Department, which was headed by Senior Inspector Motsetsele. They contend that placing a Deputy Commissioner in charge of such a unit effectively amounts to a demotion.
They further accuse Adv Matsoso of unlawfully elevating the Logistics Department into a standalone department without consulting the minister responsible for the force.
“The decision to transfer our client is malicious and without any reasonable cause. No reason has been given for his transfer. The Department of Logistics was under the unit of Planning which was headed by Senior Inspector Motsetsele. By transferring our client to head such small unit or department, it is tantamount to demotion. In relation to Seniority of offices (sic) that cannot be done without any reason given and a hearing been given.
“In terms of the Police Service Act 1998, you do not have authority to disband the existing departments let alone without consultation with the Police Authority. In this matter, you have unlawfully and without any authority elevated Logistics department as if it is a big department to be headed by a Deputy Commissioner. The Police Authority has no knowledge of this decision,” the lawyers argue.
Ndebele Chambers has given Adv Matsoso three days to withdraw the transfer in writing, warning that failure to do so will leave him with no option but to seek judicial intervention.
“All in all, the client objects to the transfer that it is unlawful, unauthorised and an act of ultra vires (beyond powers) the Police Service Act 1998. We are instructed to inform you therefore that the Client cannot be transferred as you have suggested. That within three (3) days of this letter that you withdraw in writing your decision to transfer our client. Your failure to withdraw will lead us to the Courts of law for redress,” the lawyers warn.
However, while DCP Mokete was preparing to challenge the decision, the LMPS was already moving to implement it.
A memorandum was issued on Monday by the Staff Officer to Chief of Police, Superintendent (Supt) Khotlele, the same day DCP Mokete challenged his transfer. Supt Khotlele, acting on the instructions of Adv Matsoso, formally announced DCP Mokete’s removal from the CID and his appointment as head of the newly established Logistics Department.
The memorandum states that the new department would be responsible for strengthening the coordination, management and efficient utilisation of police resources, including equipment, supplies, transport, housing, property and other essential assets.
It also announces that Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Tebello Tshepe would take over command of the CID from 2 November 2026, while Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Bohang-Lintle Phasumane of Technical Support Services (TSS) would now report directly to Adv Matsoso. SACP Bohang-Lintle Phasumane used to report to DCP Mokete.
“I have been instructed by the Chief of Police to hereby publish for information to all ranks that Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP CID) Adv. Paseka Mokete has been transferred as head to the newly established department namely: LMPS Logistics,” the memorandum reads.
The reshuffle effectively trashes DCP Mokete’s objections by catapulting ACP Tshepe to the powerful CID position.
Interestingly, police spokesperson, Superintendent (Supt) Thabo Mohai, distanced himself from both the transfer memorandum and the legal letter, saying neither document had reached his office.
“Such information has not reached my office so I am not aware of it. I am even doubtful whether such documents are legit because on normal circumstances the said memorandum should have reached my office. It is not even the information that I can be able to verify for you,” Supt Mohai said.
A feud dating back to 2025
The latest confrontation is the culmination of a protracted power struggle that intensified after DCP Mokete’s appointment as head of the CID in April 2025 by Mr Lephema, a move that allegedly did not sit well with Adv Matsoso.
In October last year, Adv Matsoso suspended DCP Mokete, accusing him of insubordination. The suspension came amid allegations that DCP Mokete had implicated his boss in the alleged diversion of M60 000 meant for police informants.
DCP Mokete had reportedly submitted a report to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), implicating Adv Matsoso in the alleged misappropriation of the funds.
The suspension was reversed barely three days later, reportedly on the orders of Mr Lephema, who directed that DCP Mokete be reinstated as CID head.
But Adv Matsoso allegedly continued pursuing a corruption case against his subordinate over an incident at the Maputsoe Border Post involving a truck carrying undeclared cigarettes.
According to a well-placed police source, Adv Matsoso had attempted to persuade Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lehlanako Mofilikoane, to issue a directive for DCP Mokete’s arrest and prosecution.
The allegations centred on claims that DCP Mokete had instructed officers to release a truck that had been impounded after failing to declare its consignment of cigarettes to customs authorities. The truck had reportedly been stopped and impounded again after its driver returned from declaring the goods.
DCP Mokete allegedly contacted the CID officer in Maputsoe for an explanation and subsequently instructed that the truck be released.
The police source claimed investigators had come under pressure to find evidence against the CID boss.
When contacted at the time, DCP Mokete confirmed that he was aware of the investigations but declined to comment further, saying he was prepared to defend himself in court if formally charged.
The source also alleged that Adv Matsoso’s fallout with DCP Mokete had been fuelled by the latter’s pursuit of investigations involving high-profile figures, including former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Basotho National Party (BNP) leader Machesetsa Mofomobe and then Director of Migration Mantšebo Motšoanakaba, over their alleged involvement in facilitating the illegal entry of refugees into Lesotho. Adv Matsoso was alleged to be a key ally of Ms Motšoanakaba.
Other allegations involved the Robbery and Car Theft Squad (RCTS), whose officers were accused of accepting bribes in exchange for releasing impounded vehicles. DCP Mokete had accused Adv Matsoso of failing to act against the implicated officers. Adv Matsoso was also alleged to have clashed with DCP Mokete over the renewal of firearm licences. DCP Mokete had accused Adv Matsoso of ordering the renewal of firearm licenses of people considered ineligible to own firearms.
The 2025 suspension was also partly based on allegations that DCP Mokete had failed to execute an order to arrest youth activist, Tšolo “Tjeka Tjeka” Thakeli, and prevent him from attending Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s National Youth Employment Dialogue on 15 June 2025.
Mr Thakeli had been arrested a day after releasing a viral Facebook video questioning the Prime Minister’s pledge to create 62 000 jobs from 1 July 2025. He was released on the same day after the Magistrates’ Court questioned the charges, which failed to specify where the alleged offence had occurred.
He was subsequently charged and released on M600 bail by the Berea Magistrates’ Court on 19 June 2025. It is not clear what happened to his case thereafter.
Upon his initial release, Mr Thakeli attended the youth summit at the Convention Centre, where he received a standing ovation from young people in attendance.
The incident is said to have embarrassed the Prime Minister and angered Adv Matsoso and contributed to his decision to suspend DCP Mokete. But the suspension had been overturned on the orders of Mr Lebona.
With the latest reshuffle now implemented and DCP Mokete threatening legal action, the long-running feud between the two senior police officers appears headed for another explosive round, potentially at the expense of the much-needed cohesion in the LMPS’s abilities to fight crime.
