By: Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU – The former Deputy Principal Secretary (DPS) at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Teboho ‘Malisebo ‘Mokela has been appointed as the Government Secretary (GS).
‘Mokela assumed this position on January 2.
This is per the statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
“The office of the Prime Minister wishes to inform the public about the appointment of Mrs. Teboho ‘Malisebo ‘Mokela as Government Secretary, all done in accordance with section 139 (1) and (2) of Lesotho’s constitution,” reads the statement.
‘Mokela assumes this position following the advertisement of this post published by the government towards the end of 2023. She becomes the second woman to hold this position after Ms. Lebohang Ramohlanka.
Basotho had expressed that the strategic positions such as the GS should be filed by competent individuals identified following a competitive process of applying for such a position.
She replaces the two time serving GS Lerotholi Pheko whose tenure of office ended last year. Pheko has served under both former Prime Ministers Motsoahae Thabane and Dr Moeketsi Majoro led administrations. Thabo Moleko has been holding the fort as the acting GS until the appointment of the incumbent.
The Public Service Act, 1995 empowers the GS to among others:
(a) Co-ordinate the activities of the Principal Secretaries and transmit communication from the Principal Secretaries to Cabinet;
(b) Be responsible for conveying the policies and discussions of Government to the appropriate person or authority and for ensuring that those policies and discussions are properly carried out by that person or authority;
c) Have overall responsibility over all public officers.
The GS is also the Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers.
In other life, ‘Mokela was a news reader at Radio Lesotho.
She holds an MSc in Governance and Development Management from the University of Birmingham.