Lesotho's Natural Resources Minister, Mohlomi Moleko, has been accused of appointing a senior Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) member to an advisory position linked to the multibillion-maloti Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). Matsikane Khali, RFP Women's League Secretary General, has allegedly been appointed as an Advisor to the Minister on matters relating to the binational project.
Sources close to the development claim Ms Khali does not possess the qualifications prescribed for the advisory position, which requires at least a master's degree in engineering, built environment or project management, coupled with extensive experience in bilateral negotiations and diplomacy, infrastructure or the built environment, governance and the management of large-scale projects.
However, Minister Moleko has strongly rejected the allegations, saying Ms Khali was not appointed to the position being referred to by the sources and insisting that she is qualified for the job she was given. He stated that the sources were "talking nonsense" and that they should find out the facts before commenting.
The Lesotho Times established that Ms Khali possesses a tourism degree, contrary to claims that she only studied up to Form D. She will reportedly earn M350,000 per month, plus allowances for cell phone airtime and home internet.
The appointment has raised concerns within government circles, with one source describing it as a political decision that could weaken Lesotho's negotiating position in the LHWP, particularly with the treaty review imminent.
The LHWP is a multi-phase binational project established under the 1986 treaty between Lesotho and South Africa to supply water to South Africa's Gauteng region while generating hydroelectric power for Lesotho. Phase II of the project is currently under construction in Mokhotlong and includes the 165-metre-high Polihali Dam and a 38-kilometre transfer tunnel linking Polihali to the Katse Reservoir.
Minister Moleko dismissed the claims that Ms Khali lacked qualifications, saying the sources had misunderstood the position to which she had been appointed. He stated that the Ministry had previously advertised vacancies that could arise within the Commission and was now selecting candidates from the pool of applications received.
Key points
- The appointment of Matsikane Khali to the LHWP advisory position has sparked concerns over her qualifications for the role.
- Minister Moleko has rejected the allegations, stating that Ms Khali is qualified for the job she was given.
- The LHWP is a multibillion-maloti project that aims to supply water to South Africa's Gauteng region while generating hydroelectric power for Lesotho.
