Moorosi Tsiane FORMER Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) Commissioner-General, Advocate ‘Mathabo Mokoko, has made a final push at the Court of Appeal to hold the tax authority’s board accountable for allegedly defying a court order that barred it from terminating her contract. Adv Mokoko is challenging the 11 June 2026 Labour Appeal Court ruling by Justice Fumane Khabo that overturned an earlier Labour Court decision finding the RSL board in contempt of court for proceeding with her dismissal despite an interim order interdicting the termination. However, with her contract having expired on 31 August 2026, reinstatement is no longer a practical option. The case now centres on whether the board knowingly disregarded a court order and whether its decision to terminate her employment was lawful. Through her lawyer, Adv Motiea Teele KC, Adv Mokoko argued before the Court of Appeal this week that the board should have verified the authenticity of the interim order instead of proceeding with her dismissal on the grounds that the documents sent to it were unsigned. “The board had issued the appellant with a show-cause letter and she responded by making the board aware that we would be moving the matter before the courts. She served them with the interim court order by email, but the board said they could not act on the unsigned order,” Adv Teele argued. “The important issue in this matter is whether there was an order granted by the Labour Court. The board had a responsibility to confirm whether it was a genuine order or not.” Adv Teele nevertheless conceded that his client could no longer be reinstated because her contract had expired. Representing the board, Adv Motebang Ramaili SC maintained that contempt of court could not be established because no valid court order had been presented when the decision to terminate Adv Mokoko’s contract was taken. “There was no order existing in law when the decision was reached by the board. It was only a draft order that was attached to the email. “The appellant was afforded enough time to respond to the show-cause letter, but instead she decided to take a different path,” Adv Ramaili said. The matter was heard by a panel comprising acting Justices Johann van der Westhuizen, Mabatšoeneng Hlaele and Tekane Maqakachane. The court is expected to deliver its ruling on 13 November 2026.