The speaker who won’t declare

MASERU – For a man who has built a public reputation on lecturing others about corruption, maladministration, and impunity, Tlohang Sekhamane has some explaining to do.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, who only months ago stood before delegates from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and declared that the people have put in place a system to ensure there is no corruption, has himself been named by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) as one of at least 75 members of the National Assembly who have failed to submit their Asset and Liability Declaration for the 2025/26 financial year.

The DCEO’s public reminder, issued on August, 18 this year, is unambiguous in its language.

It states that the listed members and Senators, being public officials required to make a full declaration in terms of section 2 of the PCEO Act 1999 and its regulations, have failed to do so despite previous notice and a set deadline.

Pursuant to Regulation 66(5)(d) of the PCEO Regulations, 2021, the Directorate has now issued a final 14-day window from the date of the reminder for these officials to comply.

Sitting at the top of that list, as the first among equals in this roll of non-compliance, is the name of the Speaker himself: T. Sekhamane. The irony is not subtle.

Sekhamane has occupied the Speaker’s chair since October 2022 and has used his platform repeatedly to speak in the register of a reformer.

In October last year, while opening the 17th SADC Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC) conference, he told delegates that Parliament’s role was to safeguard the welfare of the people who elected them.

He reminded the gathering that the legislature represents the people and their wealth, makes laws, allocates money, and oversees how that money is spent.

As recently as May this year, Sekhamane was warning errant members about absenteeism and threatening to enforce standing orders against them.

He has positioned himself, consistently, as the custodian of parliamentary discipline and public accountability. Yet, when it comes to his own statutory obligation to disclose personal assets and liabilities, the man who chairs the House that oversees public money has, on the DCEO’s own account, failed to comply.

This is not a mere technicality. Asset declaration is the single most basic accountability mechanism available to any state built on the premise that those who wield public power should not be permitted to quietly enrich themselves in the shadows.

It exists precisely so that a leader cannot preach probity to the public while shielding their own financial affairs from scrutiny.
Sekhamane is not the only high-profile figure on this list.

The DCEO’s reminder and accompanying schedules list a staggering 75 members of the National Assembly and nine Senators as having failed to declare.

Among the non-compliant, cross-checked where possible against the National Assembly’s own published record of the 11th Parliament, are several figures whose public profiles make their absence from the registry conspicuous.

These include Deputy Speaker Tšepang Tšita-Mosena; the Basotho Patriotic Party’s Tefo Mapesela; and Machabana Lemphane-Letsie, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Ironically, Lemphane-Letsie recently told the SADCOPAC conference that the implementation of PAC decisions was the central challenge facing oversight bodies in the region.

Also on the list is Selibe Mochoboroane, the leader of the Movement for Economic Change and Minister of Agriculture.

The extensive list further includes members Jane Lekunya (Mechachane), Letsema Adonts’i (Mokhotlong), Mohlahlobo Busa (Qacha’s Nek), Sello Hakane (Qeme), Mohau Hlalele (Thaba-Phechela), Mamamello Holomo (Thaba-Tseka), ‘Mope Khati (Pela Ts’oeu), Mootsi Lehata (Makhaleng), Chopho Lekholoane (Khafung), Thabiso Lekitla (Mekaling), Kobeli Letlailana (Lithoteng), Katleho Mabeleng (Hloahloeng), Malefane Mabote (Tsikoane), Bataung Makhakhe (Bobatsi), Teboho Malataliana (Bela Bela), Maimane Maphathe (Matelile), Paul Masiu (Lesotho People’s Congress), Matiisetso Elizabeth Matsie (Taung), Ezekiel Mdlokovana (Mohale’s Hoek), Marefuoe Alice Muso (Mekaling), Letsekang Moloi (Lebakeng), Lebohang Monaheng (Thaba-Putsoa), Sekhele Mosebetsane (Mashai), Lehlohonolo Mosoang (Sempe), Khotso Motseki (Leribe), Makatleho Motsoasele (Motimposo), Moeketsi Motsoane (Mafeteng), Rethabile Nalane (Hlotse), Ts’eliso Nkoefoshe (Tsoelike), Lebohang Simon Phohleli (Rothe), Karabo Pholosa (Butha-Buthe), Lejone Puseletso (Thaba Moea), Monethi Ramakalima (Malingoaneng), Itumeleng Rantsho (Likotsi), Matankiso Tekane (Phoqoane), MamphoTjabane (Stadium Area), and Tommy Tayob (Moselinyane).

A closer inspection of the DCEO’s published list reveals minor spelling or initial discrepancies when checked against Parliament’s own roll. For instance, the Malimong member appears in Parliament’s records as Lekhotsa Mafatle, while the DCEO schedule lists an “L. Mafethe”.

Similarly, a “T. J. Mosotho” appears where Parliament’s record shows the Semena member as John Mosotho. While these may be clerical slips, the Directorate should publish full names to avoid ambiguity in such serious matters. However, the presence of the Speaker’s name, captured clearly as “T. Sekhamane,” is beyond dispute.

The Senate shows a similarly troubling rate of non-compliance. Nine Senators were initially named, including Lerotholi L. Seeiso, Lerotholi M. Seeiso, Mojela T. Makhaola, Seeiso S. Nkuebe, Khoabane L.K. Theko, Moholobela S. Moholobela, Peete R.L. Peete, Sentle D. Mojela, and Thabiso Lebese.

It was regarding the Senate list that the DCEO issued a separate corrigendum later that same day. The correction notice, also dated 18th August 2026, acknowledged that Thabiso Lebese’s name was erroneously included.

According to the DCEO, Lebese had actually submitted his declaration, and his appearance on the delinquent list was an administrative oversight. The Directorate offered sincere apologies to Thabiso Lebese and confirmed his name had been struck from the list.

The same corrigendum also removed Lerotholi L. Seeiso and Khoabane Theko, explaining that these two Senators had been out of office due to health issues, and arrangements would be made for their later submission. Notably, no such accommodation was extended to Sekhamane.

This is understandable, as Sekhamane has been visibly active in his official capacity throughout the period, presiding over sittings, launching caucuses, and addressing international conferences on the very subject of accountability.

While non-declaration does not automatically prove hidden wrongdoing, the PCEO Act exists to allow the public to test that presumption through transparency. The scale of non-compliance – three-quarters of the National Assembly – raises a troubling question: what is the value of a declaration regime that the leadership of Parliament treats as optional?

Sekhamane is the constitutional custodian of the National Assembly’s integrity. His name appearing on a list of those who have ignored a legal deadline is not a footnote; it is the story.

The DCEO has now given the Speaker and his colleagues 14 days to regularize their position or face the consequences permitted under the PCEO Regulations, 2021. The public deserves to know if their leaders will be held to the standard they so frequently preach.