… as its officers appear before committee unprepared
Moroke Sekoboto
THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has chastised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations for neglecting Lesotho’s properties abroad.
Ministry officials failed to provide PAC with updates on the progress of refurbishing several properties in South Africa, including Indent House in Pretoria, which the Tshwane Metro declared uninhabitable in 2016.
Lesotho owns properties in Johannesburg, Klerksdorp, and Pretoria but continues to rent private accommodation in Durban and Welkom.
During the PAC meeting, officials were also unable to provide details on other properties owned by the country in different foreign locations and failed to submit supporting documents.
The 2021/22 Auditor General’s report had previously recommended that the ministry’s successive principal secretaries ensure proper recording, management and maintenance of Lesotho’s assets in South Africa.
The report also urged that the asset register be kept up to date, with full disclosure of information, and that properties in poor condition be refurbished. However, the ministry has only engaged a consultant—without providing any evidence of progress. The report further revealed that many properties, particularly 12 out of 19 in Johannesburg, were in poor condition, with no proper maintenance or clear acquisition dates in the asset register.
During the meeting yesterday, PAC Chairperson ‘Machabana Lemphane-Letsie, expressed frustration with the officials’ failure to account for their work. She warned the ministry that the committee would not tolerate their unpreparedness.
“You cannot appear before the committee unprepared. You’re just speaking without presenting supporting documents. You sent your report today, when do you expect us to read it? We need to go through it thoroughly so we can ask relevant questions,” Ms Lemphane-Letsie said.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we will not tolerate it. You must return with the proper documents and be prepared. It seems as though you are not performing your duties, as you appear clueless. These properties belong to Lesotho, and if South Africa decides to demolish them, it is our loss,” she added, directing the officials to return before the PAC on 29 October.
PAC member, Montoeli Masoetsa, echoed Ms Lemphane-Letsie’s sentiments, calling the officials incompetent for their inability to account for the ministry’s responsibilities. He further blasted the ministry for not disciplining diplomats who misbehave, referencing incidents of Lesotho diplomats in South Africa allegedly stealing electricity.
“You come here without answers, which is pure negligence and incompetence. You even have officers stealing electricity in South Africa, damaging our diplomatic relations. Diplomats represent our dignity as a country, and we cannot tolerate such gangster-like behaviour,” Mr Masoetsa said.
In response, Deputy Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Limpho Masilo-Motsamai, assured the PAC that the ministry would return better prepared, with the required documents.
