By Teboho Serutla
The office of the Prime Minister has announced a cabinet reshuffle which has seen two ministers being shown the exit door.
Prince Maliehe has been removed as minister of defence and national security and is replaced by Lekhetho Mosito, while Keketso Rantṧo is replaced by Moshe Leoma as minister of labour and employment.
Basotho National Party leader Thesele ‘Maseribane, who was minister of communications, science and technology, has been moved to the ministry of small business, cooperatives and marketing, swapping places with Keketso Sello.
Motlohi Maliehe vacates the ministry of forestry and land reclamation for the ministry of public service which was held by Semano Sekatle, and is replaced by Motlatsi Maqelepo. Maqelepo makes way for new health minister, Sekatle. Selemo Mangobe is the deputy minister of local government.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s office on Thursday, all pensions functions except civil servants, are transferred from the ministry of finance to the ministry of social development.
In addition, agricultural, marketing is transferred from the ministry of small business, cooperatives and marketing to the ministry of agriculture and food security.
Meanwhile, the PM’s office has also announced a reshuffle of principal secretaries as follows; Bereng Makotoko has been moved from the ministry of communications, science and technology, to the ministry of small business, cooperatives and marketing, with Tankiso Phapano moving in the opposite direction.
Thabo Motoko is redeployed from the ministry of public service to cabinet administration, and is replaced by Mole Kumalo who was in the ministry of forestry and land reclamation which is now to be under stewardship of Lefu Manyokole. Manykole is replaced by Neo Liphoto.
Emanuel Lesoma moves from the ministry of labour and employment to the ministry of police, swapping places with Matela Thabane. ‘Mamoeketsi Ntho moves from the ministry of tourism, to the ministry of gender a change which sees Moliehi Moejane moving in the opposite direction.
