It is now painfully clear that the Ministry of Environment and Forestry is in crisis. The ongoing turmoil within the ministry has not only compromised its ability to function effectively but has also raised serious questions about leadership, governance, and accountability at the highest levels.
Reports of an irreparably broken working relationship between the Minister and the Principal Secretary have surfaced repeatedly, painting a picture of dysfunction and internal strife that threatens to cripple a ministry critical to Lesotho’s future.
While the details of the conflict are complex and both sides have voiced grievances, what is indisputable is that the ministry is not operating as it should. Senior officials have lodged formal complaints. Parliamentary oversight committees have been informed. The Minister has called for change.
However, the stalemate endures, unresolved, festering, and increasingly damaging.
The responsibility for resolving such a crisis ultimately rests with the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane, as the country’s leader, must demonstrate the kind of decisive leadership that Lesotho’s governance so urgently needs.
He is charged not only with appointing ministers and senior officials but with ensuring they can work together effectively to serve the public interest. In this case, where the working relationship between key leaders in a vital ministry has clearly broken down, failure to act is no longer an option.
A Prime Minister who understands the demands of good governance would have intervened decisively long ago, whether that means replacing the Principal Secretary, the Minister, or facilitating an effective mediation to restore functionality. Indecision or inaction only prolongs the crisis and sends a message that internal conflict and dysfunction can be tolerated.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry plays an essential role in protecting Lesotho’s natural resources, combating climate change, and managing forests and biodiversity, tasks that are critical to national development and the wellbeing of future generations. It is unacceptable that this ministry be allowed to descend into paralysis.
There is a very real and dangerous precedent unfolding in Lesotho: the Ministry of Energy. That ministry has been mired in controversy for years, plagued by scandal, mismanagement, leadership disputes, and corruption allegations. The consequences of this dysfunction have been catastrophic, contributing to stalled projects, and public distrust.
We must not allow the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to follow the same downward path. The stakes are simply too high. The environment is a shared national heritage, and mismanagement here threatens not only current livelihoods but the legacy left to those who come after us.
Prime Minister Matekane’s silence and apparent inaction on this issue so far is deeply concerning. Leadership is not only about celebrating successes but also about confronting challenges head-on and making difficult decisions. Basotho expect and deserve a government that can manage its own house, that acts swiftly when internal conflicts jeopardise the delivery of essential services.
It is time for the Prime Minister to act. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry must be stabilised and restored to a state of order and productivity. Whether this requires removing the Principal Secretary, the Minister, or both, or employing other remedial measures, the decision must be made promptly and clearly.
Anything less risks allowing this critical ministry to become yet another example of governance failure, a “Ministry of Energy” in the making, where dysfunction is normalised, accountability is ignored, and public trust is eroded.
In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa is often criticised for his tendency to establish commissions of inquiry whenever a major problem arises. While this approach has its flaws and can sometimes be seen as delaying direct action, at least it reflects a willingness to confront issues publicly and seek solutions.
By contrast, Prime Minister Matekane’s response to mounting crises is silence and apparent inaction. Basotho deserve a leader who takes tangible steps to resolve problems. Leadership demands decisiveness.
Authored by our expert team of writers and editors, with thorough research.
