…ahead of 2028 polls
Mohloai Mpesi
REVOLUTION for Prosperity (RFP) secretary general, Nthati Moorosi, has pledged to reunite the ruling party amid growing concerns over factionalism and internal power struggles threatening its stability ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times this week, Ms Moorosi, who is the Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, acknowledged that deepening divisions within the party posed a serious risk to the RFP’s future electoral prospects.
The RFP Thetsane legislator said her immediate priority was to consolidate the party and prevent further fragmentation.
The RFP swept to power in the 2022 elections, winning 57 constituencies but falling short of an outright majority, forcing it into a coalition government with the Movement for Economic Change (MEC) and the Alliance of Democrats (AD).
However, barely four years into office, the party has been rocked by allegations of factionalism involving some of its most influential members, many of whom occupy senior government positions.
Reports within party circles suggest the emergence of two rival camps — one allegedly aligned with Deputy Prime Minister Nthomeng Majara and another linked to Trade, Industry and Business Development Minister Lebona Lephema.
Although Ms Moorosi did not directly address the alleged camps, she admitted the party was facing internal tensions that needed urgent attention.
Fresh from a trip to the United States, Ms Moorosi said she returned to hear “noise” about factions within the party — something she warned could weaken the RFP if left unresolved.
“When we formed the RFP, it was more of a movement to rescue the country than a fully established political party,” Ms Moorosi said.
“We only had six months before the 2022 elections, so the focus was on winning power and stabilising the country.
“However, it seems we neglected the party which still needed to be shaped. Now we must focus on strengthening the party itself.”
She said the RFP could not afford divisions at a time when it still considered itself a young and developing political organisation.
“We need another term to complete the transformation agenda we started. If we go into the next elections divided, we risk coming back even more fragmented,” she said.
Ms Moorosi warned that the party’s biggest danger was losing members through infighting, saying every departure weakened the RFP’s support base.
Her remarks come as the party continues to deal with the fallout from two breakaway formations since taking power — the United Africans Transformation led by Matlakeng legislator Mahali Phamotse, and Khanya, formed by Peka MP Mohopoli Monokoane.
“So far we have already suffered two splinter parties within five years, and that is too much,” she said.
“It means somewhere we are not handling issues properly. In politics, numbers are everything. Losing one person means losing the people who support them as well.”
She singled out Mr Monokoane’s departure as particularly damaging, noting that he was among the party’s strongest-performing MPs during the 2022 elections.
“At the time the RFP was very strong, but these internal fights have weakened us. We cannot allow misunderstandings to divide the party because that translates into losing supporters,” she said.
Ms Moorosi said many of the tensions within the party stemmed from complaints by MPs who feel excluded from decision-making processes or ignored by ministers.
According to her, some legislators believe ministers have become inaccessible and overly protective of positions and resources within their ministries.
“I have heard complaints that some ministers are self-centred, which is sad. The government ministries are not personal tuck shops. They exist to serve the people. MPs sometimes feel they are not being heard when they raise issues affecting their constituencies.”
To address those grievances, Ms Moorosi said the party leadership intended to adopt a more inclusive and open approach that would allow members to freely raise concerns without fear.
“We need an open-door policy where people can air their frustrations and feel listened to.
“Some MPs complain that certain constituencies are not receiving services. Those concerns must be addressed openly instead of allowing resentment to grow.”
She traced the origins of the party’s internal conflicts to shortly after the 2022 elections, when some members allegedly attempted to challenge the leadership through a vote of no confidence motion in Mr Matekane in October 2023. This while the party was still trying to establish itself in government.
Ms Moorosi said the early instability was fuelled largely by disputes involving Dr Phamotse and some legislators who had since joined the opposition Democratic Congress.
“At that stage we had not even fully taken shape as a party, yet there were already attempts to destabilise the government.
“We came into office focused on rescuing the country, not fighting internal battles. But once we were in government, we focused on rescuing Lesotho from the shithole it was in. It took us a lot of time to realise that we also needed to fix problems inside the party.”
She admitted unity within the RFP had been repeatedly tested by competing ambitions, including attempts by some members to exert control over party structures.
“The issue of unity has been tested from the beginning. Some people wanted to control the party, but the leadership stood firm,” she said.
Ms Moorosi also identified competition for ministerial positions as another major source of conflict within the ruling party.
“The biggest fights usually centre around ministerial posts. At times MPs would complain that there is no minister drawn from a certain district.
“But ministers must be appointed on merit to achieve the goal of effective service delivery. The Prime Minister has to account to the nation for the people he appoints.”
Despite the growing internal tensions, Ms Moorosi expressed confidence that the RFP would emerge stronger and retain power in the 2028 elections.
“I see the RFP returning stronger in 2028 and winning more constituencies.
“We may still work with coalition partners if necessary, but we believe Basotho can already see the changes brought by this government. Our task now is to package that message properly and show people what we have achieved.”
Meanwhile, Ms Moorosi is preparing to celebrate her 50th birthday this Saturday in her Ha-Thetsane constituency.
The celebrations, to be held at Lesia High School, will begin with a women’s gathering (Pitiki) tomorrow evening followed by a church mass on Saturday morning before the actual festivity. She said the event would not be an RFP gathering, but a community celebration open to all Basotho.
“I am turning 50, which means I am celebrating a milestone and thanking God for my life, hence we are starting with a mass on Saturday.
“I have invited everyone because I serve not only RFP supporters, but all Basotho.”
