‘Mokose, Sekatle to battle for senior post

MASERU — Two Democratic Congress (DC) party heavyweights, Ralechate ’Mokose and Semano Sekatle, are expected to wrestle for the secretary general’s post at the party’s January 25-27 elective conference.

Judging by the nominations which are yet to be officially announced in a circular to DC constituencies, sparks are set to fly as ’Mokose, who is the party’s current interim secretary general, tussles against Sekatle for a ticket into the party’s national executive committee.

Sekatle is the current DC interim deputy secretary general.

Sources within the DC, that lost power in last May’s general election, say that they expect a close election between ’Mokose and Sekatle as both appeared to “command a more or less similar amount of support in the party”.

“Both men command a lot of support in the party which creates a platform for an interesting voting pattern on Election Day,” he said.

Sekatle has also been nominated for the posts of deputy secretary general as well as that of treasurer general.

However, another source told this paper that if Sekatle decided to compete against ’Mokose “he would effectively be creating another camp”.

“It’s what we’re trying to avoid, another camp. If he forges ahead, he will be doing just that. I hope that he withdraws his nomination for secretary general to focus on either deputy secretary general or treasurer,” the source said.

“But I’m sure Ntate Sekatle will not want to play camps. I’m more than sure that he’ll rise above it all by opting to contest for another post.”

The party’s leader Pakalitha Mosisili and his deputy Monyane Moleleki are expected to retain their posts unopposed.

There were indications this week that all DC constituencies had all nominated Mosisili and Moleleki to retain their respective posts in the executive.

But, the source quickly added that ’Mokose was at a disadvantage because although ’Mokose was a popular figure in the DC, there were reservations in some quarters that he would not be able to execute the party’s vision “because he seems to have lost focus”.

“We are fearful that assigning him that post for the next three years will prove detrimental to the DC because he is not as focused as before,” the source said.

“He has been made aware of his shortcomings including losing his constituency during the May 26 election and he promised to change.”

The Lesotho Times understands that there are two camps vying for control and influence within the DC led by Mosisili and Moleleki.

This paper understands that ’Mokose is being fielded by the Moleleki
camp while Sekatle is a nominee of the Mosisili camp.

DC losing parliamentary election candidates, Dr Thabiso Molapo and Lineo Molise-Mabusela, are expected to tussle it out for the deputy secretary general’s post.

It was not clear though as to which camps the duo belonged to, although speculation was rife that Molise had been nominated by the Mosisili camp while Molapo was nominated by the Moleleki camp.

The DC parliamentary election candidate for the Koro-Koro constituency, Refiloe Litjobo, sources claimed, had also been nominated for both deputy secretary general and deputy treasurer general.

Former speaker of parliament, Ntlhoi Motsamai, former education minister ’Mamphono Khaketla and former forestry minister Kabelo Mafura, have all been nominated for the post of treasurer general, the Lesotho Times heard.

The current DC deputy chairman, Kose Makoa, who is the MP for Mt Moorosi constituency, is tipped to replace Lebamang Maqaleha as chairman.

DC youth league president, Mosala Mojakisane, is also expected to be elected deputy chairman as a promotion from the youth wing.

Spokesperson Serialong Qoo is expected to retain his post, while the DC national assembly election candidate for the Mahobong constituency, Khomoatsana Tau, has been nominated as his deputy.

The DC executive committee was expected to have a meeting this week to finalise details about the nominations before officially announcing them.

But ’Mokose yesterday said they had the executive committee meeting on Tuesday but that the names of nominees would take “a bit more time” to announce due to some candidates being nominated for more than one post.

“Some candidates have been nominated for more than one post.

“We’re still consulting with them to establish which positions they choose to settle for.

“I have therefore not yet been directed to announce them as yet,” ’Mokose said.