Lesotho Government Ousts Senior Managers at Queen 'Mamohato Memorial Hospital

A major shake-up is underway at Queen 'Mamohato Memorial Hospital in Lesotho, with the government declining to renew the contracts of three senior managers. Deputy Managing Director Thenjiwe Dlangamandla, Director of Clinical Services Dr Benjamin Ngoie, and Director of Nursing Services Moleboheng Tau had their contracts expire at the end of October and were not renewed. This move comes amid allegations of corruption, recruitment irregularities, and financial mismanagement at the hospital.

The decision to not renew the contracts was confirmed by 'Machabana Lemphane-Letsie, chairperson of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee. The committee has been investigating the hospital's operations and had recommended a wholesale restructuring of the management team. Lemphane-Letsie stated that the committee had consistently called for the dissolution of the entire management team to pave the way for restructuring.

The Public Accounts Committee's investigations have uncovered a range of alleged wrongdoing at the hospital, including politically influenced appointments, questionable salary adjustments, and unauthorized expenditure. The committee also heard allegations of interference in procurement decisions and suspected ghost workers. Among the most contentious issues was the appointment of senior Finance Manager Tšele Sehlabo, which the committee questioned after learning that another candidate had performed better during interviews.

The committee also heard allegations of political interference in recruitment and procurement, including claims that individuals were employed due to their political connections rather than merit. Former senior procurement officer Relebohile Poulo told the committee that she had secured her position through her political affiliation with the Movement for Economic Change. She also alleged that politically connected individuals influenced tender awards and that some suppliers were allowed to provide goods without proper procurement orders.

Another major controversy involved Moleboheng Tau, who was accused of increasing her own salary and those of other employees in her department while serving as acting managing director. The hospital's payroll manager, Patlo Khoalenyane, told the committee that a salary normalization exercise had set deputy directors' salaries at M42 171. However, Tau allegedly adjusted her own salary to M48 000 and those of other deputies to M44 000.

The hospital has also been under scrutiny over its payroll, with the committee hearing that salaries and allowances had continued to be paid to people who were no longer working at the institution. The committee was investigating whether the payroll was inflated by so-called ghost workers who continued receiving salaries despite no longer reporting for duty. Financial management has also emerged as a major concern, with the committee questioning the legality of certain financial decisions and the apparent lack of proper financial controls.

The controversy surrounding the hospital's management has been ongoing, with the Public Accounts Committee recommending disciplinary action against executives implicated in alleged interference. The committee also ordered the Ministry of Health's former Principal Secretary to cancel a contract with Tsebo Health Solutions, which had been awarded without a proper bidding process. The developments mark a significant step towards addressing the governance crisis at the hospital, but much work remains to be done to restore transparency and accountability.

Key points

• The Lesotho government has declined to renew the contracts of three senior managers at Queen 'Mamohato Memorial Hospital amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
• The Public Accounts Committee has been investigating the hospital's operations and had recommended a wholesale restructuring of the management team.
• The committee's investigations have uncovered a range of alleged wrongdoing, including politically influenced appointments, questionable salary adjustments, and unauthorized expenditure.