The LEC Rot: A Litmus Test For Matekane

(MENAFN- The Post) In recent weeks, the people of Lesotho have been served a front-row seat to witness a deeply troubling theatre of corruption, mismanagement and political interference at the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC).

Thanks to the ongoing proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), streamed live and dissected across social media platforms, revelations have emerged that go beyond mere administrative failures, they point to systemic rot and brazen disregard for public accountability.

The PAC hearings have unearthed damning details: corrupt LEC officers implicated in shady practices, questionable electricity generation deals involving a Chinese firm, and the disturbing meddling of the Principal Secretary of Energy, Phapano.

Even more shocking is Phapano's claim that he is a shareholder in the very public utility he is supposed to oversee. This is not just a conflict of interest, it borders on state capture.

Such revelations place Prime Minister Sam Matekane at a crossroads.

This moment is more than a routine test of governance. It is an integrity test, one that will either confirm or contradict the promise he made upon assuming office.

The Prime Minister once boldly declared that any official involved in corruption should be reported to him and that he would take decisive action.

Well, now no one needs to whisper rumours in dark corners or leak confidential memos. The rot is being laid bare for all to see.

The Prime Minister cannot plead ignorance, nor can he afford to wait for lengthy internal investigations that may serve only to whitewash the truth.

What we are witnessing is not speculation or innuendo, but sworn testimony before a parliamentary committee. The public is listening.

The people are watching. The question is: is the Prime Minister also watching?

If Matekane is serious about uprooting corruption, this is his moment to prove it. Inaction now would speak volumes. Louder than any declaration of anti-corruption intent ever could.

It would suggest that political loyalty and elite impunity matter more than justice and public trust. It would imply that“anti-corruption” is just a campaign slogan, not a governing principle.

The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated. The LEC is not just another state-owned enterprise; it is a critical utility upon which the country's economic growth, industrial activity, and daily life depend.

Corruption in its leadership compromises service delivery, drives up costs for the average Mosotho, and deters potential investors.

Worse, the implication of senior officials, including a Principal Secretary, in such misconduct raises questions about how deeply entrenched corruption may be across other departments.

What is especially alarming is Phapano's alleged assertion that he is a shareholder at the LEC. The LEC is supposed to be a publicly owned enterprise.

If a sitting government official claims a personal stake in it, then we are dealing with a fundamental breach of governance ethics. It is both improper and possibly illegal.

The Prime Minister must act swiftly to suspend the individual pending investigation and clarify to the nation how this could have been allowed to happen under his watch.

Moreover, the LEC scandal exposes a larger issue, the lack of checks and balances within the public administration.

It is not enough to react to corruption once it has been revealed. A functioning government must be proactive, building institutions that deter corruption and systems that detect it early.

For too long, Lesotho has relied on post-scandal outrage and public shaming to pursue accountability.

This reactive posture has allowed the corrupt to operate in comfort, knowing that unless someone blows the whistle, often at great personal risk, they will remain untouched.

Matekane has, to his credit, positioned himself as a leader determined to restore dignity and transparency in government.

His entry into politics was accompanied by a promise of change, a shift from the old ways of doing things. The LEC saga is a perfect storm of opportunity and challenge.

It allows him to show the country that he is not only capable of tough rhetoric but also of taking tough decisions.

Suspending implicated officials, launching an independent inquiry, cooperating fully with the PAC, and ensuring that the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) follows up swiftly, these are the minimum steps that Basotho expect.

Anything less would betray the public's trust and undermine the credibility of Matekane's government.

Corruption in public utilities is not just a governance issue; it is a social justice issue. When funds meant for infrastructure, maintenance, or affordable service provision are siphoned off, it is the poor who suffer most.

Lesotho cannot afford a leadership that turns a blind eye to such injustices. We need a government that does more than talk, we need one that acts.

Ultimately, the LEC corruption scandal presents the Prime Minister with a rare opportunity to draw a clear line in the sand.

Will he defend the public interest, or protect the political elite?

Will he live up to his promises, or become yet another leader overwhelmed by the machinery of impunity?

Only time and action will tell. But one thing is clear, integrity is not measured by what a leader says. It is measured by what a leader does when the truth comes to light.

Ramahooana Matlosa

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