Political analysts and lawmakers have poured scorn on the National Assembly for pushing ahead with allocating budget estimates for major government projects during the 2025/26 fiscal year, despite objections from various parliamentary committees.
They say the action by the National Assembly flies in face of recommendations by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and several other parliamentary committees, which had called for the withholding of budgetary allocations for such projects until allegations of corruption are addressed.
Notwithstanding the recommendations and in a blatant disregard for ethics, good governance and the rule of law, the legislature went ahead and approved funds for the begrimed projects.
One of the most contentious allocations is the M108.5 million for the Moshoeshoe I International Airport Terminal project. The committees had determined that procurement processes were violated in awarding this lucrative contract.
The committees had therefore, recommended re-tendering of the project. However, the National Assembly appears to have turned a blind eye to these violations and proceeded with the allocation.
The committees had also recommended that the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Matjato Moteane be fired from his ministerial position for conflict of interest and alleged misconduct in the tender.
In their recent report to parliament, they also called for the dismissal of public works and transport principal secretary (Tšepang Koele), deputy principal secretary Katiso Ntoane, and the director of Building Design Services, Motheba Letsoela).
Another contentious allocation is the M425 million to the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), despite its failure to submit the requested documents to the portfolio committee on natural resources.
In contrast, the committees had proposed that LHDA’s proposed budget allocation be limited to salaries, a proposal that would have restricted their activities until they have submitted the required documents for the performance of the previous year.
The LHDA decision was made after the leader of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Mothetjoa Metsing, argued that instead of withholding the budget, the ministry should be directed to take legal action within two months against officers who refuse to provide the requested documents.
Metsing reminded MPs of the importance of respecting the treaty between Lesotho and South Africa, which governs the operations of the LHDA.
He suggested that any budgetary decisions should align with existing agreements to ensure the smooth implementation of development projects under the authority.
The committees also raised alarm over the proposed M425.7million allocation for the Belo Industrial Area and Tikoe Industrial Area projects. It cautioned against new contracts due to concerns about the Belo contract’s cost overruns, on the advice of the World Bank Group.
Despite this warning, the National Assembly pushed through with the budget.
Political analysts and lawmakers this week condemned the National Assembly’s actions, warning that blatant disregard for proper procurement processes and transparency risks further eroding public trust in politicians.
Such decisions only deepen the existing mistrust between citizens and politicians, Nthakeng Selinyane, a political analyst said in a telephonic interview with theReporter.
“If the National Assembly fails to correct this, it risks losing public confidence even more,” warned Selinyane.
He indicated that the National Assembly’s refusal to heed the committee’s concerns amounts to gross dereliction of duty.
“The committee’s finding that the airport rehabilitation project was not in line with the international aviation standards was crucial, but the lawmakers failed to act.
“This is symptomatic of the spinelessness that plagues our political system; parliament has the power to challenge the executive or uphold its oversight function, but unfortunately does not believe in that power,” Selinyane noted.
The inaction, he said, reflects a fundamental problem in Lesotho’s political landscape, adding the committee’s reluctance to pursue corruption allegations suggests they were either complicit in the practice or afraid of challenging the power interests involved.
Selinyane further pointed out that legislators were not exhibiting independence but rather succumbing to political pressures.
This highlights the challenges in our political system, even when there is clear evidence of wrong doing, political expediency often trumps accountability, he said.
Selinyane also highlighted that the committees’ members share some responsibility for the outcome. “While the National Assembly’s negligence is certainly a factor, the committees did not seem to defend their reports vigorously enough. The lack of engagement among parliamentarians is also evident.
“Had they (committees) stood their ground collectively, the House would have faced a harder time dismissing their findings and recommendations. It’s disgraceful that the parliament only sees fit to convene the bare minimum number of lawmakers for these crucial meeting, leaving the chambers largely empty,” he stated.
He added that the lack of effective oversight by parliament stems in part from a broader public distrust of the institution.
Parliament was widely viewed as ineffective and unaccountable, and it seems to have internalised that perception.
Rather than working to improve its reputation and strengthen its oversight role, parliament seems resigned to fulfilling a rubber-stamping function for the government’s agenda, noted.
On his part, opposition MP Rethabile Letlailana emphasised the importance of committees’ work in holding ministries accountable, citing they put in tremendous efforts to ensure that ministries and departments work effectively and honestly.
“We have a problem when one MP, who may have questionable motives, can persuade the House to disregard our findings and recommendations. It’s not just a slap in the face to the committee but it also undermines the very purpose of the legislative House. If committees cannot effectively hold ministries accountable, then our entire democratic process is at risk,” Letlailana cautioned.
He further lamented the broader implications of questionable decisions on Lesotho democracy, calling the current parliament “corrupt and captured”.
Some MPs, he alleged, were being promised tenders and other favours in return for their compliance.
The public placed its faith in parliament to safeguard the nation’s interests and prevent misuse of funds. But it seems the majority of MPs are more interested in protecting their own interests than those of the public, he said.
This apparent disregard for proper governance procedures in the National Assembly compromises the country’s domestic credibility and also its standing in the eyes of the international community.
“The perception that our parliamentarians are more interested in protecting party interests rather than transparency and accountability is damaging our reputation, both within Lesotho and internationally,” Letlailana warned.
According to Letlailana, the government’s inability to address corruption is rooted in the very nature of the regime itself.
The current ruling leaders were “tenderpreneurs” since they have profiting from state tenders rather than running legitimate businesses, he theReporter in an interview this week.
Now that they are in control of the state, corruption has become the default mode of governance, he added.
