‘Mahao a political novice destroying BAP’- Shelile 

Mohloai Mpesi 

THE ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) spokesperson, Mokhethi Shelile, has launched a scathing attack on Basotho Action Party (BAP) leader, Professor Nqosa Mahao, accusing him of lacking expertise to lead a serious political party. 

According to Mr Shelile, Prof Mahao should reflect on his leadership journey and acknowledge that he is a political novice and the primary reason behind the chaos plaguing the BAP, solely because he lacks the necessary expertise and personality to effectively manage his party. 

Mr Shelile, who also  serves as the Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development in Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s coalition government, made these remarks after Prof Mahao, a former energy minister expelled by the premier from cabinet  last November, accused the RFP of engineering the BAP’s internal turmoil. 

Addressing a recent BAP rally in Leribe district recently, Prof Mahao alleged that the RFP was on a “crusade” to destroy other political parties and consolidate itself as the sole credible political party in the Kingdom. The BAP leader also asserted that the RFP’s mission was to transform Lesotho into a one-party state by infiltrating and dividing all opposition parties rendering them ineffective. 

The rally was convened by Prof Mahao with the intent of reviving BAP constituencies in the northern region, which appears to be the epicentre of the party’s ongoing divisions. 

Coincidentally, earlier in October 25, 2024, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mathibeli Mokhothu, expressed similar sentiments at a Democratic Congress (DC) rally in Berea district’s Ha-Buasono. Mr Mokhothu had claimed that individuals from other political parties had infiltrated the DC, aiming to sow discord by persuading members to rebel against the party. 

Mr Mokhothu further alleged that DC rivals were financing members to create divisions, as they did not wish to see the party flourish. 

In a strongly worded response to the Lesotho Times this week, Mr Shelile firmly rejected Prof Mahao’s “outlandish accusations”,  stating that the 66-year-old BAP leader was too old to be acting rationally and should cease making false statements to the nation. 

Mr Shelile dismissed Prof Mahao as “wet behind the ears” and lacking the expertise to effectively lead his party, which has been plagued by protracted infighting that has left it in a comatose state. 

The ruling party’s spokesperson categorically denied that the RFP had any plans to unilaterally change the country’s constitution to prevent other parties from participating in the upcoming elections. 

“There is no way the RFP can change the constitution to make this a one-party state,” he asserted. “That would be a lie told by an old person.” 

Mr Shelile affirmed that future general elections in Lesotho would be held under the current multi-party system as enshrined in the constitution. 

“We will go to the elections with the current constitution of a multi-party state. There is no way we can go to the elections with one party or pass a mandate that RFP should just continue governing without fresh elections,” Mr Shelile said 

Mr Shelile also expressed the RFP’s determination to work hard to secure more votes in Lesotho’s next national polls. 

He stated:  ”We are determined to secure as many votes as possible for the next elections, just as we did in the previous elections.” 

He then criticized Prof Mahao, claiming the latter lacked leadership expertise, a deficiency which had ultimately plunged his party into internal turmoil. 

“He won’t be able to prove that the RFP is financing BAP factions – there is no truth to that. The reality is that he is facing an internal revolt caused by his own mismanagement and lack of political leadership skills,” Mr Shelile said. 

“These problems are of his own making, and he should not blame the RFP for his own shortcomings as a leader. It’s clear he lacks the people skills needed to effectively run a political party, as evidenced by the current revolt within his party.” 

According to Prof Mahao, the RFP had been actively working to divide and dismantle other opposition parties in Lesotho. The goal, Prof Mahao said, was for the RFP to become the sole dominant party. 

To achieve this, the RFP leadership has been making frequent visits to Rwanda to learn about their strategies for eliminating political opposition, Prof Mahao claims.   

The RFP, he alleged, had also sponsored elements aligned with factions within opposition parties, with the aim of removing strong leaders and installing “stupid leadership” that will be subservient to the RFP. 

Prof Mahao stated bluntly, “There is a faction in the BAP that is working with RFP. RFP’s work is to break all these other parties so that a leadership of dummies is installed so that they can dance to RFP’s tune.” 

He believes the ultimate intention is to turn Lesotho into a one-party state, with RFP leaders implementing their agenda through these “dummy” opposition leaders. 

Prof Mahao pointed to the recent Rwandan elections, where the president was re-elected with 99% of the vote, as an example of how the RFP was learning to “kill” the opposition, both physically through ‘targeted killings’ as well as politically.