In Lesotho, Lebona Lephema considers forming a political party
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Lesotho Times
Lebona Lephema, a founding member of Lesotho’s ruling Revolution for Prosperity party, is considering forming his own political party if his bid to become the party’s deputy leader fails. He is consulting disgruntled members of the All Basotho Convention, according to the Lesotho Times.
Lebona Lephema is considering forming his own political party in Lesotho if his bid to become deputy leader of the ruling RFP fails, the Lesotho Times reports. The outlet says the businessman, a founding member of the RFP, is consulting disgruntled members of the ABC, another political party in the country.
Those he is said to have spoken with include Chalane Phori, a former Minister of Small Business, Cooperatives and Marketing, and Lebohang Hlaele, a former ABC secretary-general and proportional-representation MP. Both men denied the consultations, according to the Lesotho Times.
Lephema sits on the RFP’s national executive committee. He fell out with the Prime Minister and party leader Sam Matekane after resisting the splitting up of his former ministry and his reassignment to the Trade portfolio. He was dismissed from the government in May after refusing the change of post announced in a reshuffle on 29 April, the newspaper reports.
The dispute also concerns the RFP deputy leadership, which Lephema believes should go to him. The Lesotho Times says his plan to take the position from Nthomeng Majara now appears to be in jeopardy.
