elections

Aug. 10, 2021

STAFF REPORTER

3 min read

PBM opposes ’Maseribane foreign deployment

PBM opposes ’Maseribane foreign deployment

Former minister of small business, Chief Thesele 'Maseribane

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THE Patriotic Basotho Movement (PBM) is opposed to former Minister of Small Business Development, Cooperatives and Marketing, Chief Thesele ’Maseribane’s deployment to Italy as ambassador, describing him as a “criminal”.

’Maseribane who is the former leader of the Basotho National Party (BNP) tendered his resignation as a cabinet minister on August 5.

In its statement released on Tuesday, the PBM says because of his “criminal acts his integrity has been unquestionably tainted and highly compromised”.
The movement cited a murder case which it says is pending in the High Court in which Chief ’Maseribane allegedly shot dead a Maseru resident, Kelly Mahase during the 1998 political turmoil.
The movement further claims the politician is suspected of instigating the political upheavals.

“He successfully paralysed the government, the result of which was loss of life, injuries, massive and rampant looting, destruction of property and arson,” the party’s statement reads in part.
It notes as a result, a commission of inquiry was established later in 2000 to investigate the events and the findings include among others that ’Maseribane was a principal instigator of violence and political mayhem, adding that he has since not been cleared of all the charges.
The movement also links him to a British entrepreneur, Aaron Bank who it says reportedly paid thousands of pounds into his private account while seeking a license to prospect for diamonds in Lesotho.
“Maseribane, who was then a Cabinet Minister, admitted that Mr Banks, the Bristol based businessman, transferred 65 000 pounds into his personal account in South Africa,” the movement also says.

It shows is more disconcerting about the issuing of license in question is that Maseribane was the Minister of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation and had nothing to do with issuing of diamonds prospecting licenses.

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Moreover, the PBM says the former minister is highly implicated in the on-going murder trial of former army boss Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao.

It further claims he is involved in the embezzlement of millions of maloti when he was Chairperson of the now defunct National Emergency Command Center, an ad hoc body which was established to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
The movement has as a result appealed to the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio to take immediate steps to stop ’Maseribane from setting his foot on Italian soil to perform ambassadorial duties, adding it is for the good of the people of Lesotho and Italian Republic.

For its part, the BNP youth league says the former party leader is ready to execute his new duties in Italy, adding that it therefore rallies behind him. LeNA

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