Mohloai Mpesi
MAIN opposition leader, Mathibeli Mokhothu, has slammed a Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) legislator who has complained about the Ministry of Education and Training’s decision to award school feeding tenders worth a whopping M240 million to four members of the Democratic Congress (DC).
Mr Mokhothu told a press conference yesterday that it was ludicrous that the RFP’s Thaba-Bosiu legislator, Isaac Malebaleba, should complain about the awarding of the tenders to DC members as if they were not Basotho.
Mr Malebaleba had in a voice clip circulated on social media complained that Education and Training Minister, Ntoi Rapapa, who is also the leader of the Alliance of Democrats (AD), one of the coalition government partners, had given the lucrative school feeding tenders to members of the DC while “neglecting” those from the RFP.
“This is despite the RFP taking the AD under its wing and giving it a seat at the high table,” Mr Malebaleba complained.
He also warned that if DC members were given access to such large amounts of money, they could potentially win the next general elections in 2027, as campaigning required significant amounts of money.
An irate Mr Mokhothu said Mr Malebaleba was out of order. The official leader of the opposition said Mr Malebaleba’s comments implied that opposition members should not be given access to government contracts despite being tax paying citizens.
Mr Mokhothu reminded the RFP that its leaders, including Prime Minister Sam Matekane, had become filthy rich due to tenders they were awarded when the DC was still in power with its ex-leader Pakalitha Mosisili as Prime Minister.
There had been no accusations of nepotism and impropriety then. The same should obtain for DC members now that the RFP was now in power.
“Is it a sin in this country when DC members get tenders? Does it mean DC members don’t have a right to participate in tenders, yet they are tax paying citizens….,” Mr Mokhothu asked rhetorically.
“Does this mean DC members are not supposed to be given tenders in this regime of wealthy people…..?”
Mr Mokhothu said it was unfortunate that RFP leaders had forgotten that they were wealthy because of the tenders they got when the DC was in power.
“They forget quickly…The congress movement ruled this country since 1993 …..These wealthy men were still getting tenders during our governance. They have big necks because of the congress movement,” he said.
“Yet today they have the nerve to stand there and say these DC members should not be awarded tenders…?”
Basotho National Party (BNP) leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe also weighed in berating Mr Malebaleba for “suggesting that only those in government should qualify for tenders”.
He said public procurement rules did not allow for contracts to be awarded based political affiliations.
