Tug-of-war for Private Sector Foundation takes fresh twist
MASERU — High Court judge Justice ’Maseforo Mahase on Thursday dismissed an application by a rival faction to depose Osman Moosa as chairman of the Private Sector Foundation of Lesotho (PSFL).
But in a sudden twist of events Justice Semapo Peete two days later issued an order directly opposed to the one issued by Justice Mahase.
Justice Peete’s order confirmed Moosa’s nemesis Leonia Mosothoane as the chairperson of the PSFL.
The order bars Moosa’s camp from acting on behalf of the PSFL until September 19 when he will hear the case.
This means the PSFL has two chairpersons who are all empowered by court orders.
The conflicting orders only worsen the leadership crisis and factionalism at the foundation.
Moosa was voted out of the chairmanship at a March 24 extraordinary meeting he did not attend after a faction led by businesswoman Leonia Mosothoane tried in vain to compel him to call an elective conference.
Justice Mahase on Thursday last week ruled that the extraordinary meeting by Mosothoane’s faction was unlawful.
She dismissed Mosothoane faction’s application made in June.
The judge had on June 15 made an interim order calling Moosa, the PSFL chief executive officer Thabo Qhesi and the foundation’s executive committee member Kutloano Sello to show cause why they could not give the Mosothoane faction access to the office.
The Moosa committee was removed following allegations “it was inefficient”. The Mosothoane faction had also resolved that after Moosa’s exit, Qhesi should be removed from office and be investigated for possible embezzlement of funds.
They had also resolved to change their signatures at Standard Lesotho Bank.
Now after winning the battle, Moosa’s committee says it will investigate the alleged abuse of funds by the Mosothoane faction.
“The legitimate PSFL board will now investigate the possible abuse of PSFL members’ subscriptions and property by these selfish individuals and shall take appropriate action against them and hold them personally accountable,” reads part of the PSFL statement.
“The PSFL board officially cancels all meetings that were announced by these illegitimate group (sic) in the name of the Private Sector Foundation of Lesotho and in particular the so-called AGM (31.8.2012) at Maseru Sun or anywhere else.”
The AGM Moosa referred to in the statement was held after Mosothoane’s camp obtained a High Court order against the objections of Moosa and company.
On Friday, Mosothoane armed with the court order, held the AGM where she was re-elected as chairperson.
On Saturday she obtained an interim court order barring the Moosa camp from “conducting any transactions on the business banking account number 0140045894101 held by the applicant (PSFL) with Standard Lesotho Bank.”
The Moosa camp has also been interdicted from entering into any agreement on behalf of the PSFL.
Comment by silky on 6 September 2012:
Akha! dismiss this Foundation of Hunger! I feel sorry for you Qhesi.
Comment by Lefefooane on 6 September 2012:
Taba tsa Mapotoana. That thing was purely formed to advance potoana issues. I never get inspired by anything that smells potoana/corruption. That PSF was just a bunch of the potoanas who wanted to amass all the state tenders for themselves while leaving the rest of the nation out. Joale molimo o ba lahlile. You even wonder why mccd formed this thing PSF when we already had the Lesotho Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He Mosisili le baetsana ba hae, ache!!!
Comment by irvan ken on 7 September 2012:
According to my understanding the psfl was initiated in order to give a chance to the bussiness sector(big and small). But unfortunetly some people dont portray it in that manner. but i am of the opinion that as BASOTHO we should go forward and stop criticising each other.we should rather look at the interest of the poor basotho who even when they cross to SOUTH AFRICA they have problems.that should be the priority.According to me anybody’s political affiliation has got nothing to do with anybody.we all have freedom of speech, expression etc.