…as three party members demand annual conference
…to prepare groundwork to demand NEC elections
Mohloai Mpesi
THE ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP)’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is facing a legal challenge from three party members who have demanded that it convene the party’s long-overdue annual conference, a move that could pave the way for the election of a new leadership.
The three members, led by former Berea District Administrator Phahlane Makoko, have written to RFP secretary-general Nthati Moorosi threatening legal action if the NEC fails to issue a notice convening the conference within five days of receiving their letter.
The demand is contained in a letter dated 31 July 2026 from law firm Tšabeha and Associates.
Mr Makoko, who is chairperson of the RFP’s Teyateyaneng Constituency No. 24 Committee, is joined by Koro-Koro Constituency Committee secretary Seeiso Letsie and Manonyane Community Council A06 member, Makhaola Chele.
The trio wants the NEC to convene the annual conference within the timeframes stipulated in the party’s constitution, failing which they intend to approach the courts.
“Our clients therefore formally demand that the executive committee should: convene the annual conference strictly in accordance with the provisions of the party constitution; issue the notice convening the annual conference together with all documents required by the constitution, including the agenda, narrative reports, audited financial statements and any proposed constitutional amendments; and ensure that the annual conference is convened within the constitutional timeframe prescribed by the party constitution.
“Accordingly, our clients demand that the executive committee issue the requisite notice convening the annual conference within five days of receipt of this letter.
“Should the executive committee fail or refuse to comply with this demand within the aforesaid period, our instructions are to institute appropriate legal proceedings without further notice seeking, amongst other reliefs, a declaratory order that the executive committee has failed to comply with the constitution of the party, and a mandatory order compelling the executive committee to convene the annual conference in accordance with the constitution,” part of the letter reads.
According to highly placed party sources, the trio’s demand has the fingerprints of the faction aligned to founding member Lebona Lephema, popularly known as Team 24.
Mr Lephema has launched a drive to assume a prominent role in the RFP, first by toppling deputy leader Nthomeng Majara as a pre-cursor to taking over the whole party from leader Sam Matekane.
While in public, Mr Lephema has been vowing allegiance to the Prime Minister, in private he is accused of engaging in surreptitious machinations to dethrone him.
The sources claim that holding the annual conference could compel discussions and demands for the party to conduct its first NEC elections. The current NEC was appointed from among the party’s founding members rather than elected by delegates.
“You will recall that the current NEC was not elected as it is made up of founding members, but was confirmed by the same conference. So it is through the same conference that the party can be forced to call NEC elections,” a party source said.
Mr Lephema is said to be dissatisfied with his perceived sidelining within RFP structures. Having co-founded the party with Mr Matekane, he reportedly believes he should have been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and eventual successor to the party leader.
He is also said to be frustrated by the growing influence of Ms Majara in Cabinet decision-making processes.
Ms Moorosi is said to have become a key cog of Team 24. She has been holding joint events with Mr Lephema.
The RFP was launched in March 2022 by a group of businesspeople led by mining and construction magnate, Mr Matekane, who became Prime Minister after the October 2022 general elections.
After winning an impressive 56 seats in the October 2022 general elections, the RFP formed a coalition government with the Alliance of Democrats (AD) and the Movement for Economic Change (MEC). Since then, it has consolidated its position by attracting defectors from opposition parties, including the Democratic Congress (DC) and expanding its numbers to include other smaller opposition parties.
Despite its political dominance, the party has in recent months been plagued by internal divisions, with senior leaders repeatedly calling for unity amid growing factional tensions.
Those tensions culminated in the dismissal of Mr Lephema from Cabinet after he refused reassignment from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development.
Mr Makoko’s contract as Berea District Administrator was also not renewed when it expired on 30 June 2026. Party insiders allege this was because of his association with Team 24, although no official reason has been given.
Against this backdrop, the three members argue that the NEC has breached the party constitution by failing to convene the annual conference within six months after the end of the party’s financial year.
“Our clients have instructed us to address you regarding the executive committee’s continuing failure to convene the party’s annual conference as required by the Constitution of the Revolution for Prosperity,” the lawyers wrote.
The constitution also requires that members receive at least two months’ notice before the conference is held. The applicants argue that, given these timelines, the notice should already have been issued.
“These constitutional provisions are peremptory. They are intended to ensure transparency, accountability, democratic participation and adequate preparation by members of the party’s highest decision-making forum,” the letter states.
The applicants argue that the NEC’s failure to act undermines democratic governance within the party and infringes on members’ constitutional rights.
“Our clients are concerned that the executive committee has failed to discharge its constitutional obligations and that such failure undermines the democratic governance of the party and prejudices the constitutional rights of members.
“Our clients therefore formally demand that the executive committee convene the annual conference strictly in accordance with the provisions of the party constitution.”
The lawyers also reserved all their clients’ rights.
“Nothing contained in this letter shall be construed as a waiver of any of our clients’ rights, all of which are expressly reserved. We trust that litigation will not be necessary and look forward to receiving your confirmation of compliance within the stipulated period,” the letter concludes.
Efforts to obtain comment from Ms Moorosi, RFP spokesperson Mokhethi Shelile, his deputy Thabo Maretlane and party chairperson Teboho Kobeli were unsuccessful, as they could not be reached on their mobile phones.
Mr Makoko had also promised to get back to this reporter when contacted for comment. However, his mobile phone thereafter rang unanswered.
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