Incoming PS Mrs ‘Mapulumo Mosisili
Keiso Mohloboli
Five Principal Secretaries (PS) were sent on “special leave” this week pending the expiry of their respective contracts, the Lesotho Times has learnt.
The five were slapped with identical letters informing them of government’s decision to send them away with immediate effect due to the “many leave days” they had accrued.
The Lesotho Times established that those asked to go are ‘Machabana Lemphane-Letsie (Public Service), Teboho Mohlomi (Justice and Correctional Service), ‘Mataeli Sekhantšo (Cabinet-Economic Affairs), Moshoeshoe Sehloho (Tourism, Environmental and Cultural Affairs) and Dr Majara Molapo (Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation).
The letters, dated 23 June 2015 and signed by Government Secretary Moahloli Mphaka—and headlined ‘Leave pending expiry of your contract of employment with the government of Lesotho’—read: “I am directed to inform you that the government has made a decision not to renew your contract of employment when it expires.
“The government notes that you still have outstanding leave days to expend before the end of your tour of service and as a result, I am instructed to direct you to proceed on leave with immediate effect to expend your leave days.
“You will remain on special leave until the end of your contract with full benefits accruing to your position as Principal Secretary. You are therefore requested to handover the administration of the office to the Deputy Principal Secretary who will continue with the day-to-day running of the Ministry in your absen
Outgoing Ministry of Public Service Principal Secretary ‘Machabana Lemphane – Letsie,
ce.
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank you, on behalf of the government, for your commitment and the service you rendered during your tenure of office as Principal Secretary. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours”.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Principal Secretary was also sent on leave but pending retirement next month.
Reads Mr Metsing’s letter, also signed by Mr Mphaka: “I am directed to inform you that the government has made a decision that upon reaching your retirement age in July 2015, you will not be offered a contract to continue as Principal Secretary. The government notes that you still have outstanding leave days to expend before your retirement, and as a result, I am instructed to request you to proceed on leave with immediate effect. While on leave, you will enjoy full benefits accruing to your position as Principal Secretary.”
Mr Mphaka yesterday explained the forced leave and early retirement, telling the Lesotho Times: “Mr Metsing’s retirement starts in July and he will be on special leave until then. Mr Mohlomi’s contract was supposed to end on 2 October 2015, while those for Mrs Sekhantšo and Mrs Letsie were to expire on 1 November 2015. Dr Molapo’s contract was set to expire on 3 September 2015 and Mr Sehloho’s on 2 December 2015 but because of the many leave days they accrued, they have been asked to go now.”
Meanwhile, government appointed five new Principal Secretaries on 19 June 2015.
According to a communiqué from then acting Government Secretary ‘Mataeli Sekhantšo, the following were appointed Principal Secretaries : Mr Makalo Theko (Agriculture and Food Security); Mrs ‘Mapaseka Kolotsane (Education and Training); Dr Motseki Mofammere (Small Business Development); Mrs ‘Mapulumo Mosisili (Trade and Industry); Mr Khomoatsana Tau (Water).
