At least more than 40 000 Public Servants are directly paid by government.

According to the Minister of Public Service, Mr. Semano Sekatle, out of this number, there are 18 208 civil servants. While 7 450 comprises Police, Army, Christian Health Association of Lesotho (CHAL) and Defence Administration staff and teachers equaling 13 976 and Wages staff at 476.

He clarified that 289 civil servants are working on contract terms, 5 376 on permanent basis, while 891 are on probationary terms.

Furthermore, Mr. Sekatle pointed out that positions that are regarded as political although not officially announced are those of Ministers, personal staff such as Private Secretaries, Ministerial Secretaries, Senior Chauffeurs, Personal Aide, Special Assistants, Constituency Secretaries, House Helpers and Gardeners.

He said, Principal Secretaries are also political appointees, while the total number of those serving in the Lesotho's Diplomatic Missions abroad is 85.

The Minister was requested to apprise the House on the total number of Public Servants remunerated directly by government, the number of those on contract and those on permanent terms of employment, whether or not any of them can be described as political appointees.

Member of Parliament Mr. Ranthomeng Matete also asked the Minister about the political appointees' respective designations and the total number of those serving in Lesotho's Diplomatic Missions abroad.

Source: LENA 25/09/2007