By Neo Kolane
Shock and uncertainty have gripped the ministry of communications, science and technology after the unceremonious removal from office, of the acting director-general of the Lesotho National Broadcasting Service (LNBS) on Monday.
According to highly placed sources in the ministry, Mothepane Kotele only learned of her surprise discharge and that she has been replaced by ‘Mampoi Lebakeng-Mosebo at a meeting where LNBS management was due to be introduced to the new minister Keketso Sello and principal secretary Tankiso Phapano.
The sources, who claimed neither the ministry’s principal secretary and minister were aware of the change of guard, allege that Kotele’s ejection is a culmination of her run-ins with the ministry top brass.
“She had become a black sheep because she always butted heads with both deputy principal secretary Matṧeliso Phafoli and the former minister over, among others, procurement, administrative and human resource-related heads.”
Kotele has been acting LNBS director-general since March 2018. Approached for comment, she confirmed the humiliating incident but declined to delve into the details; she instead referred this publication to the deputy principal secretary.
Phafoli was not available on her phone to comment on: Kotele’s dismissal and if it was done procedurally; if the latter had been officially notified of her removal; the reasons for her sacking; and if the new PS and minister were aware of this move. Phapano, on the other hand, did not pick up his phone.
