Local News

As gvt moves to bolster private sector   Amid new US tariffs that have upended economy   While World Bank urges private sector led growth    Seithati Motṧoeneng  Prime Minister Sam Matekane has announced a M400 million loan scheme for Basotho entrepreneurs as his government seeks to bolster the private sector and spur local economic growth amid the […]

…temporarily saves over 12k textile jobs in Lesotho  Mathatisi Sebusi / Mohloai Mpesi  The government can heave a sigh of relief for now after the United States government suspended the steep tariffs it had imposed across its trade partners including Lesotho which had been slapped with a massive 50 percent tax.    US President, Donald Trump, yesterday announced a 90-day suspension of the […]

  Mohloai Mpesi  Former Energy Minister Professor Nqosa Mahao has questioned the appointment of Professor Molibeli Taele as the new Director of the Lesotho Electricity Generation Company (LEGCO) arguing the latter was “unfit” for the position.  Prof Taele was appointed LEGCO director three months ago, shortly after the dismissal of the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) […]

—Putting 18 000 Basotho at risk of not getting paid  ‘Mathatisi Sebusi  A TOTAL of 18,000 Basotho who worked on community development projects under the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) are at risk of not being paid, parliament has heard.  This is due to the DMA struggling to recover M900,000 that was mistakenly overpaid to other beneficiaries […]

—As varsity celebrates 80th Anniversary  Moroke Sekoboto  KING Letsie III, Chancellor of the National University of Lesotho (NUL), has commended the university for its academic excellence, dedication, and transformative service to Lesotho and the African continent.  The King acknowledged NUL as it celebrated its 80th anniversary this week, a milestone he said marked the institution’s enduring […]

  Mohloai Mpesi  IN a tragic incident, a vehicle belonging to the security detail of His Majesty King Letsie III was involved in an accident that claimed the life of a pedestrian yesterday evening.  According to an official statement released by the Office of the King last night, the accident occurred on Wednesday, April 9th, […]

  There is something fundamentally wrong with these creatures we call our Members of Parliament (aka MPs).  We have encountered their destructive shenanigans in all the successive parliaments we have had throughout the entire history of our God forsaken Kingdom that “nobody has ever heard of”.  Scrutator had hoped the current crop of MPs (in […]

In wake of her damning report against LDF  DPM Majara rubbishes allegations she orchestrated the move  Mohloai Mpesi  OUTSPOKEN and highly regarded Ombudsman, Advocate Tlotliso Polaki, faces heightened personal security risks after the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) abruptly withdrew her security detail.  The withdrawal came soon after she issued a scathing report accusing the LDF of […]

  …As gvt insists  Letsoela will retire in August  Mohloai Mpesi  THE government’s move to amend the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Act to extend the army commander’s retirement age to 62 has sparked division among Members of Parliament (MPs).  While some argue that the Lesotho Defence Force (Amendment) Bill 2025 requires thorough interrogation, others have dismissed it outright and demanded its withdrawal.  […]

‘Mathatisi Sebusi ACCESS to educational resources tailored to the unique requirements of children with autism, clinically referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), continues to pose a considerable challenge in Lesotho. This situation persists despite the guarantees outlined in the Constitution of Lesotho and the Education Act (2010), which affirm education as a fundamental human […]

  Mohloai Mpesi  PRIME Minister Sam Matekane must aggressively and effectively address the pervasive corruption plaguing Lesotho’ – an issue he has largely ignored despite mounting evidence that the scourge of graft is ever worsening, experts have urged.  According to analysts who spoke to the Lesotho Times this week, a litany of corrupt activities, have been repeatedly […]

Moroke Sekoboto  THE Office of the Ombudsman (OoO) and the Law Society of Lesotho (LSL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on advancing their shared interests.  These include enhancing the delivery of justice and protection of fundamental human rights, to ensure that government officials and statutory organizations comply with the law.  The […]

Moroke Sekoboto  THE M140 million reconstruction and full rehabilitation of the A5 road from St. Michael’s to Roma, including the 2km loop road via St. Joseph’s Hospital to Ha Mafefooane has commenced and will be completed in slightly over a year.  The Roads Directorate Corporate Communication Manager, Nozesolo Mpopo, said in a statement this week this significant project had been awarded to […]

—As tax entity recognizes compliant taxpayers  Moroke Sekoboto  IN a move to improve public awareness, Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) has capacitated the media on its contact centre services, providing them with firsthand experience of the organization’s operations.  RSL Manager: Contact Centre, ‘Mamphotleng Mahao, explained that the media tour was part of a broader strategy to […]

Hopolang Mokhopi  LOCAL non-profit organization, Partners In Health (PIH) Lesotho, has joined the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), marking a significant step towards reinforcing its commitment to provide safeguards against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH) within its workforce.  The MDS facilitates the sharing of misconduct data between employers and is currently implemented by over 320 organizations globally. It […]

  …claims he was fired for refusing to conceal Lipolelo Thabane’s murder  …as he denies murdering PC Khetheng  Moorosi Tsiane / Hopolang Mokhopi  FORMER Commissioner of Police, Molahlehi Letsoepa, who is facing a 2016 murder charge of Police Constable (PC) Mokalekale Khetheng, has claimed that former Prime Minister Tom Thabane expelled him as police commissioner after he […]

  accuses DPP of abuse of power . . .  “In September 2024, the RFP made arrangements with Ntaote to supply them with fertilizers and agricultural inputs as part of an effort to assist him in avoiding prosecution. As part of the party’s strategy, Hon. Sello Hakane was appointed to oversee the distribution of these […]

  …It has no funds to import electricity posing a severe risk to consumers and the economy  Mathatisi Sebusi  THE Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) is in a severe financial crisis, with its current liabilities exceeding its assets by M98.6 million.  As a result, the utility company is unable to purchase electricity for distribution to consumers.  This […]

 – top Ukranian journalist speaks in Lesotho Mohloai Mpesi THE Eurasia Democracy Initiative (UDI) director, Peter Zalmayev, contends that the likelihood of a swift resolution to the extensive conflict between Russia and Ukraine appears to be very low. During a recent visit to Lesotho, Mr Zalmayev, a Ukrainian national who is a journalist and host of […]

  —Riled by his “incompetency, dishonesty”  —Over failure to issue them with proper identity documents  Mathatisi Sebusi  BASOTHO migrants working and studying in South Africa want Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police Minister Lebona Lephema, fired for his “incompetence and dishonesty”.  The Basotho, operating under what they describe as ‘Hands-Off Basotho Movement’, are frustrated with […]

  …as at least 20 Basotho get charged weekly for contravening SA migration laws  Moorosi Tsiane  FOR ‘Mamosenki Letsie, a 33-year-old mother, crossing the border into South Africa was not a choice – it was a necessity.  Desperate to secure a better future for her 18-year-old son, Mosenki, ‘Mamosenki embarked on the journey without proper […]

  Mohalenyane Phakela  RENOWNED business mogul and leader of the St. Paul’s African Apostolic Church, Bishop Thakadu David Ramela, has refuted claims that he is forming a political party.  Social media has been awash with allegations that Bishop Ramela is following in the footsteps of other business tycoons who have ventured into politics.  Prominent figures […]

  Mohloai Mpesi  FUNDS saved from international travel reductions should be redirected towards combating youth unemployment through job creation, internships, vocational training, mentorship programs, and entrepreneurship support.  This was proposed by Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Matala Constituency, Tšeliso Moroke, during a heated debate on the 2025/2026 national budget in the National Assembly  on Monday.  Several […]

  —claims it will introduce a wholly new trajectory to Lesotho’s politics  Mohloai Mpesi  LEBOHANG Thotanyana, the leader of the newly formed and registered political party, Transformation For Change (TFC), claims that he is on a mission to reshape Lesotho’s political landscape for the better.  Mr Thotanyana, who previously served as secretary-general of the embattled […]

  Mathatisi Sebusi  MINISTRY of Energy Principal Secretary, Tankiso Phapano, has distanced himself from allegations of financial mismanagement surrounding the Ha Belo electrification project, which has led to its depletion of funds and failure to be completed on time.  The project reportedly cost the government an additional M49 million due to the engagement of an […]