MASERU — The Lesotho Football Association (Lefa) is under pressure from stakeholders who are calling for the immediate suspension of vice-president and Premier League chairman Tlholo Letete.
Letete was suspended by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority in May this year and is being investigated for corruption, according to a company statement.
“Mr Tlholo Letete, a senior officer in the employ of LHDA — finance branch, has been suspended with full pay to enable certain allegations levelled against him to be investigated,” reads part of the LHDA statement.
Meanwhile, Premiership champions Lioli have called for Letete’s removal, arguing his continued presence at Lefa was bringing the name of football into disrepute.
“Our club learns that Mr Letete is on suspension from his employment as a result of an investigation currently being conducted against him for allegations that are not clear to us,” Lioli general secretary Chaka Chaka, said in a letter to Lefa dated November 19, of which the Lesotho Times has obtained a copy.
“We attach two documents anonymously sent to clubs and yourself regarding this issue.
“Whilst the issue of anonymity made us uncomfortable, we believe that ignoring the matter on that basis alone will not benefit our beautiful game, more especially because information has come to light and is already serving in the public domain.”
Chaka said Lioli were concerned Letete still held influential positions in local football despite the dark cloud hanging over him.
“If the above situation is correct, our view is that Mr Letete will need to recuse himself from the high offices that he holds within our national football spectrum until such time that he is cleared of any wrongdoing and reinstated to his job. An act of suspension implies serious allegations against Mr Letete,” he said.
Chaka said Letete had now become a threat to both Lefa and the football community.
“Our fear is that this situation has a potential of prejudicing football from good governance, sponsorship and image point of views. We ask your good self to kindly allay our fears in this regard or else act against this official to avoid possible damage to the football fraternity at large.”
Malefetsane Molefinyane, who claims to be acting on behalf of footballers and a member of Lefa, share the same sentiments with Lioli.
“Re le lihlopha tsa papali ea bolo ea maoto Lesotho ebile re le litho tsa Lesotho Football Association re maketse haholo to hlokomela hore setho se seng sa national executive committee ebile e le chairman ea Premier League e leng ntate Tlholo Letete o behelletsoe ka thoko ho mosebetsi oa hae ka lipelaelo tse amanang le boshulu le bobolu, (We are aware and surprised as footballers and members of the Lesotho Football Association to discover that national executive committee member and Premier League chairman Mr Tlholo Letete has been suspended by his employer in relation to corruption and theft),” Molefinyane said in his undated letter addressed to Lefa’s chief executive officer, which was also copied to Premier League clubs.
According to Molefinyane, Letete had become a liability not only to football but also Vodacom Lesotho, domestic soccer’s principal sponsor.
“Taba ena e beha bolo ea maoto ea Lesotho tsietsing le kotsing haebe e ka tloheloa e le joalo hape e beha mofani e le (Vodacom) tsietsing haebe e ka amahangoa le mafapha a mofuta ona (If this issue is left unattended, it threatens and puts local football and its sponsor (Vodacom) in a dilemma, if Vodacom is associated with this kind of an organisation),” he said.
“Ka hona re kopa ho botsa na taba ea hae e tla sebetsoa neng ke mokhatlo le hona ho ‘mehella ka thoko melemong oa bokamoso ba bolo ea Lesotho (We would like to know when the association is going to deal with this issue and suspend him for the future of football in Lesotho.)”
Meanwhile, Letete would not discuss the issue when the Lesotho Times sought his comment on Tuesday.
“I cannot give a comment on this matter until it has been brought before the executive Committee of Lefa.”
