ELSEWHERE in this issue, we carry a report on the investigations being carried out on Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing.
It is always difficult to properly contextualise the essence of any probe against a high profile political leader amid the serious infighting of the proportions we have seen in Lesotho’s coalition government.
Mr Metsing’s sympathisers will view the probe as a witch-hunt over his decision to join hands with the Democratic Congress (DC) in a bid to topple Prime Minister Thomas Thabane from power. His detractors, however, will hail the probe as part of Thabane’s continuing and unrelenting drive to fight corruption.
Whatever the case, when serious investigations have been raised against a public figure, it is only fair that it be carried out thoroughly and professionally for the benefit of all concerned. Nothing is as debilitating as having a cloud hanging over your head when you are a public figure and being subjected to all manner of muffled tones besmirching your’s integrity. The rumour mill in Maseru often quickly slips into overdrive. And so it has been with all manner of allegations being leveled against the DPM. Last week, the country was enmeshed in gossip that acting government secretary, a Mr Mphaka , had written to Metsing asking him to appear before the police over the graft allegations leveled against him. The relevant people could neither confirm or deny the development
Whatever the motives behind Metsing’s probe, the investigation can only create a win, win scenario. It will be a win for Metsing if he is cleared of the allegations and it emerges that his sympathisers were right that his dalliance with the DC elicited the probe. It will also be a win for the state if it turns out that there is indeed a case to answer and all involved have to go through the grate.
Whatever the outcome, it’s good for Lesotho that investigations on high profile people are no longer seen as more of the exception than the rule.
This is because it will add greater clarity to the operations of government.
