CABINET APPROVALS, DECISIONS AND DIRECTIONS:  SEPTEMBER  ---  NOVEMBER, 2000.

Maseru, 

SEPTEMBER

I.PRIVATISATION OF LESOTHO TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION (LTC) TELE-COM LESOTHO

Joint Memorandum C3 (2000/5) 162 by the Honourable Ministers of  Finance and of Development Planning and of Communications At its meeting on Tuesday 19 September, under Memoranda

 

Cabinet approved:

(a)  The sale of a Seventy per cent (70%) shareholding in LTC (Tele-Com  Lesotho), in accordance with the Sale of Shares Agreement, to Mountain Kingdom Communications (MKC) at a price of US Dollars 17 Million with the Government of Lesotho retaining a Thirty per cent (30%) interest in the company for disposal at a future date;

(b)   That the Director of the Privatisation Unit be authorised to sign the Sale of Shares Agreement on behalf of the Government of Lesotho.

 II.  MEDICAL AID SCHEME FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS

 At its meeting on Tuesday 26 September, under “Matter Arising”

 Cabinet directed that every Ministry must take stock of over-age employees and facilitate their retirement.  Each Ministry shall present lists of such employees before Cabinet for the latter’s information.


OCTOBER

 I.    SETTLEMENT OF OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS.

At its meeting on Tuesday 10 October, under Matters Arising

 Cabinet decided that, while there was some progress regarding Settlement of accounts for the LTC, WASA and LEC, efforts should be stepped up to ensure settlement of any outstanding accounts.  Such efforts should include Travel (Ticketing) Agents and Hotels.  Cabinet should be kept informed of progress.

 Cabinet directed that the exercise should involve the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing and that outstanding accounts should be sent to proper addresses.

 II.    PERFORMANCE ON THE STAFF-MONITORED PROGRAMME  KEY   QUANTITATIVE BENCHMARKS.

 At its meeting on Tuesday 10 October, under 'Matters Arising'

 1.  Cabinet decided that, international travel should be authorised and monitored by Cabinet.

The Right Honourable the Prime Minister directed that, Honourable Ministers should effect reductions on their international travel and set an example for the public servants.

 2.  Cabinet directed that, at each Ministry, there should be a daily record keeping exercise to check on whether vehicles were parked at 4.30 p.m. and over the weekends.

 III.   UTILISATION OF VVIP AND VIP LOUNGES AT MOSHOESHOE 1 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

 Memorandum C3 (2000/5) 184 by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 At its meeting on Tuesday 24 October, 2000 under 'Memoranda'

 Cabinet approved that

 (a)   That the VVIP Lounge at Moshoeshoe I Airport {(i)commonly known as the red carpeted lounge, (ii) located near the departure Immigration desks} be used during departure and arrival by His Majesty King Letsie III, Her Majesty Queen Karabo Mohato Seeiso, Her Majesty Queen Mother ‘Mamohato Seeiso, the Right Honourable the Prime Minister, the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable President of the Senate, the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, His Lordship President of the Court of Appeal, His Lordship the Chief Justice and the Honourable Ministers;

 (b) That the VIP Lounge (located at the South Western corner of the Airport building) be used during departure and arrival by the following personages:

 Members of the Council of State (other than those appearing in this list of office holders in the Public Service);

·        Heads of Diplomatic Mission;

·        The Honourable Leader of the Opposition in Parliament;

·        Their Lordships the Judges of the Court of Appeal;

·        Their Lordships the Judges of the High Court;

·        The Honourable Attorney General;

·        His Worship the Mayor of Maseru;

·        The Honourable Vice President of the Senate;

·        The Honourable Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly;

·        The Honourable Members of the Senate/Principal Chiefs;

·        The Honourable Members of the National Assembly;

·        The Government Secretary;

·        The Principal Secretaries;

·        Vice Chancellor of the National University of Lesotho;

·        Heads of Churches;

·        Governor of the Central Bank of Lesotho.

 (c)  That the visiting dignitaries be allowed the use of any of the two lounges at the discretion of the Directorate of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, depending on their status.

 IV.  LIQUIDATION OF THE LESOTHO AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMETN BANK (LADB).

 At its meeting on Tuesday 31 October, under 'Matters Arising'

 Cabinet directed that the possibility of opening postal savings accounts should be explored by the Postal Services Department as this would assist Basotho country-wide.

 NOVEMBER

 I.  DIVESTITURE OF GOVERNMENT SHAREHOLDING IN VODACOM LESOTHO (PTY) LTD.

 Joint Memorandum C3 (2000/5) 198 by the Honourable Ministers of Finance and of Development Planning and of Communications.

 At its meeting on Tuesday 7 November under Memoranda

 Cabinet approved:

 (i)  The sale of Tele-com Lesotho’s 12 per cent shareholding in Vodacom Lesotho (Pty) Ltd., in accordance with the Sale of Shares Agreement, to Sekhametsi Investment Consortium Ltd. at a price of M5,390,000.00 (Five Million, Three Hundred and Ninety Thousand Maloti);

 (ii) That the Director of the Privatisation Unit be authorised to sign the Sale of Shares Agreement on behalf of the Government of Lesotho.