Lebona Lephema, a founding member of Lesotho's ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), is considering forming a new political party amid infighting within the party. According to sources, Lephema has been holding consultations with disgruntled members of the All Basotho Convention (ABC) as his bid to oust Nthomeng Majara from the RFP's deputy leadership position appears unlikely to succeed. Lephema's move comes after his repeated affirmations of loyalty to the RFP.
Lephema's fallout with RFP leader and Prime Minister Sam Matekane began when he resisted the splitting of the Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs, and Police ministry. He was subsequently dismissed from Cabinet in May after refusing to accept his redeployment to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Business Development. Lephema had insisted on remaining in charge of his former ministry, citing possible conflict of interests due to his involvement in transactions with the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC).
Lephema believes he deserves the RFP deputy leadership position due to his financial contributions to the party during its formation and sees it as a stepping stone to eventually succeeding Matekane. However, his ambition has divided the RFP into two factions, with one aligned with Lephema and the other sympathetic to Majara. Majara currently enjoys the upper hand, having the backing of Matekane.
Despite this, Lephema has been involved in several manoeuvres to oust Majara, including allegedly financing party members demanding an elective congress. However, his plot was dealt a severe blow when Matekane barred party officials from conducting unsanctioned activities. Lephema appears to have heeded the directive but has allegedly resorted to surreptitious consultations to prepare the groundwork for a new party.
The RFP is not holding any elective conference until after the 2028 general elections, making it unlikely for Lephema to achieve his goal of ousting Majara. Some of Lephema's supporters have gone to court to try and force the RFP to hold an AGM, which would demand a special elective conference. However, it appears futile as no court will want to interfere in regulating a party's internal affairs.
Sources familiar with Lephema's plan allege that he has been meeting with former Minister of Small Business, Cooperatives and Marketing, Chalane Phori, and former ABC secretary-general, Lebohang Hlaele, since mid-September. The goal is reportedly to form a new party, with Lephema sometimes sending his proxy, former Maseru District Administrator Tšepo Lethobane, to the meetings.
Phori and Hlaele have dismissed the allegations, with Phori insisting that he remains an ABC member and has no plans to leave the party. Lephema's decision to form a new party would be a significant development in Lesotho's politics, potentially altering the landscape ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Key points
- Lebona Lephema's bid to oust Nthomeng Majara from the RFP's deputy leadership position appears unlikely to succeed.
- Lephema has been holding consultations with disgruntled members of the All Basotho Convention (ABC) to form a new party.
- The RFP is not holding any elective conference until after the 2028 general elections.
