On the first full day of Lesotho’s new Prime Minister, Moeketsi Majoroz he got a brand new cabinet, as he set off to lead the fourth coalition government of Lesotho.
The ceremony, administered by Justice Ts’eliso Monaphathi saw 21 Cabinet Ministers and eight Deputy Ministers of the fourth coalition government formed by the All Basotho Convention (ABC) and Democratic Congress (DC) were sworn-in at the Royal Palace in Maseru on Thursday.
His Majesty King Letsie III, Prime Minister, Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Lesotho, Members of Parliament and other Senior Government Officials were present to witness the ceremony.
The ceremony saw Mr. Mathibeli Mokhothu swearing-in as the Deputy Prime Minister and will also be responsible for Parliamentary Affairs.
Mr. Prince Maliehe was sworn in as Minister of Defence and National Security, Mr. Thabo Sofonea as Finance Minister, while Mrs. Mats’epo Ramakoae is Foreign Affairs and International Relations Minister deputised by Mr. Machesetsa Mofomobe.
Mrs. Keketso Rants’o has also been given second opportunity to lead Ministry of Labour and Employment. Mr. Kemiso Mosenene was sworn in as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly resumed business on Friday after two weeks adjournment following collapse of the 4×4 coalition government.
Majoro replaces 80-year-old Thomas Thabane, who resigned abruptly on Tuesday after months of resisting pressure from a governing coalition to step down amid allegations he was involved in the murder of his ex-wife, Lipolelo Thabane, in 2017, days before his inauguration.
Thabane, who denied any involvement in his ex-wife’s death, apologized for his shortcomings over the last three years as Prime Minister during Majoro’s swearing-in ceremony.
Thabane’s current wife, Maesaiah, is out on bail after being charged with Lipolelo’s murder. She says she is innocent in the case.
