Mokoko hits back

mbattled Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) Commissioner-General, Advocate ‘Mathabo Mokoko, has categorically rejected allegations of poor performance that led to her dismissal last week.

Adv Mokoko was fired last Friday after allegedly failing to respond to a show-cause letter issued a few days earlier, on Tuesday, giving her until 10 am on Friday to explain why she should not be dismissed for incompetence.

Instead of responding directly to the Board, chaired by Adv Lindiwe Sephomolo KC, as ordered, Adv Mokoko had elected to file an urgent Labour Court application on Thursday seeking to interdict her dismissal. The Labour Court issued an interim order later that same day, temporarily halting the termination until her case is fully heard and decided.

Despite the pending application and interim court order, the Board proceeded to terminate her contract, citing her failure to make any representations.

Meanwhile, the RSL Public Relations Manager, Tšepang Mcina, confirmed on Wednesday that Adv Mokoko remained out of office.

Among other allegations, the RSL Board accused Adv Mokoko of failing to act in good faith by bypassing established governance structures and engaging external authorities on work issues without the necessary authority.

She was also accused of “bypassing the Financial and Audit Committee and the Board and writing to the Auditor-General, threatening judicial review on the audit opinion, thereby failing to respect the authority and oversight of the Board”.