{"id":65551,"date":"2025-12-21T18:49:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-21T18:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/govt-prioritizes-security-over-iec-building-project"},"modified":"2025-12-21T18:56:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-21T18:56:19","slug":"govt-prioritizes-security-over-iec-building-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/govt-prioritizes-security-over-iec-building-project","title":{"rendered":"Govt Prioritizes Security Over IEC Building Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. <\/strong> <\/span>IN a move that has stunned governance observers and raised fresh questions about Lesotho\u2019s spending priorities, the government has ordered the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to sell its newly-acquired M77 million office building and relocate to a vacant, undeveloped site in Masowe worth M25.5 million \u2014 all because the current structure is \u201ctoo tall\u201d for the comfort of the National Security Service (NSS) and the Prime Minister\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

A savingram addressed to Director of Elections Advocate Mpaiphele Maqutu \u2014 seen by the Lesotho Times \u2014 confirms that Cabinet has approved a proposal by Minister of Law and Justice Richard Ramoeletsi to forcibly move the IEC out of its modern five-storey headquarters in Maseru West, less than a year after it took occupation.<\/p>\n

The savingram, issued by Finance Ministry Principal Secretary Nthoateng Lebona, instructs the IEC to prepare a full project proposal for the Masowe site, including legal documentation, cost breakdowns, timelines, risk assessments and funding plans.<\/p>\n

IEC not budging: \u201cWe just bought this building. We\u2019re not moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

But IEC spokesperson Marafaele Mohloboli says the electoral body will not be pushed into vacating premises it lawfully purchased for M77 million.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe IEC does not have an interest in purchasing a site in any way. IEC has a building and does not need a site,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Ms Mohloboli emphasised that the Commission is waiting for the lease to be finalised and will not abandon Elections House without a lawful cause.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does not make sense to purchase a site for M25.5 million which has not even been developed. The Commission will not vacate these premises until this issue has been resolved legally,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

A recycled controversy<\/p>\n

The IEC only moved into Elections House in March 2024 after public outrage over the Commission renting offices at Prime Minister Sam Matekane\u2019s MGC Park \u2014 a glaring conflict of interest for an institution meant to operate independently.<\/p>\n

Now, barely two years later, the IEC is once again embroiled in a politically charged relocation saga.<\/p>\n

This time, the government argues that the IEC building is a \u201csecurity threat\u201d because it overlooks the State House. Cabinet initially sought to place NSS intelligence officers on the fourth floor of Elections House to monitor the area \u2014 a proposal the IEC rejected as an attack on its autonomy.<\/p>\n

Unable to secure the floor for the NSS, the government appears determined to push the IEC out altogether.<\/p>\n

Skewed priorities: Why uproot a functioning institution?<\/p>\n

What makes the situation particularly shocking is that Elections House was bought precisely to resolve a long-standing controversy about IEC independence. Now, despite having spent M77 million of public funds on a permanent headquarters, the government wants the building sold \u2014 and replaced with an empty plot requiring millions more for construction.<\/p>\n

This would mean:<\/p>\n

Millions wasted in sunk costs<\/p>\n

Millions more spent on new construction<\/p>\n

Months or years of operational disruption<\/p>\n

A constitutional body being uprooted because the Prime Minister does not want a tall structure near State House<\/p>\n

In a country battling unemployment, poverty and violent crime, forcing the IEC to move because the building \u201clooks down on\u201d the Prime Minister\u2019s residence is nothing short of extravagant misgovernance, one government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because she is not authorised to speak to the media said, said.<\/p>\n

A security threat \u2014 or political insecurity?<\/p>\n

Government insists the height of Elections House poses a danger to State House operations. But governance experts say this explanation appears thin, especially given the IEC\u2019s recent international recognition as one of Africa\u2019s top four electoral bodies.<\/p>\n

Critics argue that instead of celebrating and strengthening an institution vital for democratic stability, the government is creating upheaval for reasons that appear more political than practical.<\/p>\n

IEC stands its ground<\/p>\n

For now, the IEC is refusing to leave:<\/p>\n

It has a legally acquired building<\/p>\n

It has no budget or mandate to buy undeveloped land<\/p>\n

It sees no rational justification for the government\u2019s demands<\/p>\n

And unless Cabinet can provide one, this matter appears headed for a legal confrontation.<\/p>\n

One thing is clear:<\/p>\n

For an institution that just earned continental praise for its efficiency and credibility, being uprooted over height-driven \u201csecurity fears\u201d is not only irrational \u2014 it is emblematic of a government with skewed priorities and an underdeveloped respect for institutional independence.<\/p>\n

Find more news and analyses on Lesotho<\/span> on the Africa Press<\/span> website<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. IN a move that has stunned governance observers and raised fresh questions about Lesotho\u2019s spending priorities, the government has ordered the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to sell its newly-acquired M77 million office building and relocate to a vacant, undeveloped site in Masowe worth M25.5 million \u2014 all because the current structure is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":65550,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3],"tags":[245],"class_list":["post-65551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community","tag-lesotho"],"yoast_head":"\nGovt Prioritizes Security Over IEC Building Project - Lesotho<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"-article-header-tag"> Africa-Press - Lesotho. 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