This petition, initiated by threatened textile workers, has evolved into a powerful national coalition—including the Big Six Trade Unions, the Organization of Chiefs, Youth Groups, and the Lesotho Sports Fraternity. We declare a national emergency due to government inaction and mismanagement. We demand immediate and irreversible action on the AGOA job crisis, the blatant LEC corruption exposed by the PAC, the government's failure to uphold the Rule of Law by complying with legal obligations concerning traditional leaders' remuneration, and the chronic neglect of national infrastructure at Setsoto Stadium. We are marching on October 31st, 2025, to demand an end to the culture of impunity and to reclaim our nation's future.

To: Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane

The Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) must withdraw its unprecedented High Court application against the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and fully cooperate with parliamentary oversight to safeguard public funds.

We, the undersigned citizens of Lesotho, are deeply concerned by the recent High Court application filed by the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) board of directors. This legal action seeks to block a legitimate and critical probe by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) into serious allegations of mismanagement and misappropriation of funds at our state-owned power utility.

The PAC, as a vital parliamentary oversight body, is mandated by law to scrutinize how public money is spent. Their investigation was prompted by alarming queries raised in the Auditor General’s reports (for financial years ending March 2017 to March 2022) and LEC’s own audited financial statements (for the year ended March 31, 2023). Disturbingly, the PAC's initial findings have already revealed over M2.1 million spent on salaries and benefits for acting and suspended LEC executives since March this year, along with previous reports of M568 million unaccounted for.

Why this matters to every Mosotho:

Undermining Democracy and Accountability: LEC's legal action directly challenges the constitutional principle of separation of powers and sets a dangerous precedent. When public institutions use judicial intervention to evade legitimate parliamentary scrutiny, it weakens our democratic institutions, erodes public trust, and undermines the rule of law in Lesotho.
Protection of Public Funds: The PAC's mission is to safeguard the public purse. Preventing their probe means allowing potential misuse of our hard-earned taxpayer money to go unchecked, directly impacting essential services and the economic well-being of all Basotho.
Transparency and Good Governance: As a state-owned entity, LEC has a fundamental obligation to be transparent and accountable to the people of Lesotho. This court case sends a clear message that certain individuals or institutions believe they are above the law and beyond accountability.
Prime Minister Matekane, as the head of the executive and the leader responsible for ensuring good governance in Lesotho, we implore you to take immediate action.

We call upon you to:

Instruct the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) board of directors to immediately withdraw their High Court application against the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Ensure the LEC board fully cooperates with the PAC, allowing the parliamentary probe into alleged mismanagement and misappropriation of funds to continue unimpeded and transparently.
The future of accountability and good governance in Lesotho depends on decisive leadership now. We stand with the PAC in their mission to protect public resources and demand full transparency from all state institutions.

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