Yearly Archives: 2024
as another ghastly famo killing makes headlines journalist caught in the crossfire Mohloai Mpesi The army has expressed frustration over members of the armed forces who continue to “protect and give information” to infamous famo gangsters. The tough-talking deputy army commander, Major General Matela Matobakele, told the Lesotho Times yesterday that the army’s efforts to eradicate the rampant killings that have […]
A focus on LHWPII: creating sustainable stakeholder value through conservation and restoration of ecosystems THE longevity of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) reservoirs relies on the water resources and services provided by healthy ecosystems that are supported by sustainable land use practices. In recognising the interdependence of water supply, ecosystems health and good […]
Letsatsi Selikoe TELECOMMUNICATIONS powerhouse, Econet Telecom Lesotho Sasai (ETL Sasai), has partnered with the Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) to launch a groundbreaking e-payment solution, aimed at transforming the way taxpayers pay their taxes in the country. The new system, which marks a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey, is designed to make tax payment processes […]
Seithati Motsoeneng BANKING giant, Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB), has launched a new trade financing product designed to offer easy financial support to small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). The new trade financing product comprises three main components: Invoice Discount Finance, Local Purchase Order Finance, and Contract Finance. With this product, entrepreneurs can gain access to financial support by […]
Moroke Sekoboto THE Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) has maintained the repo rate at 7.75 percent, fostering relief to consumers in Lesotho’s comatose economy. The repo rate is the rate at which the central bank lends to commercial banks. An increase in the repo rate typically results in higher interest rates on things like personal, vehicle, home loans, and commercial loans. CBL Governor, Maluke Letete, announced the […]
Mohloai Mpesi THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered the termination of the proposed purchase deal between Lucapa Diamonds and Lephema Executive Transport, arguing that the transaction is not in the nation’s best interests. The directive emerged during a committee session this week, wherein the Ministry of Natural Resources faced serious questions about the deal to transfer Mothae Diamond Mine from Lucapa to […]
….as told by a close sibling Letsatsi Selikoe PRINCE Seeiso Bereng Seeiso, the younger and only brother to His Majesty King Letsie III, has had the privilege of witnessing the monarch’s growth and development at a close range. There is therefore no better person to speak about His Majesty than his closest sibling. In a rare […]
…as Netcare wants it liquidated for failing to service debts Moorosi Tsiane WALLS are collapsing around the once-great Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH), which is now facing closure over a M223 million debt it has failed to service. A default judgment has already been issued against the hospital, popularly known as Tšepong. It has been Lesotho’s […]
…as 700,000 Basotho face extreme hunger Letsatsi Selikoe PRIME Minister Sam Matekane has declared a national food insecurity disaster spanning eight months from July 2024 to March 2025. According to Mr Matekane, it is estimated that no less than 700 000 Basotho face extreme hunger because of the severe El Nino drought, that has affected not only […]
Mathatisi Sebusi MEMBERS of Parliament and civil servants have called for an amendment to the Tshiamiso Trust deed to enable Basotho miners, ex-miners, and beneficiaries who are eligible for silicosis and tuberculosis (TB) compensation to receive their due payments. This follows ongoing struggles for Lesotho beneficiaries to access their compensation due to the lack of […]
Moorosi Tsiane FORMER minister, Keketso Sello, is embroiled in a dispute with his brother, Katiso Sello, over their multi-million family business, Lesotho Funeral Services (LFS). Katiso, who owns 67 percent of the shares, has petitioned the Commercial Division of the High Court to force Keketso to sell him his 33 percent stake. LFS was founded […]
Mohloai Mpesi At least 880 serious crimes were recorded by the police from January to May this year, a 26 percent increase from the previous year’s figures. The latest statistics represent cases that were actually probed and prosecuted by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS). Last year the police detected a total of 697 cases, marking a 183-case increase in the same period from January to May. Commissioner […]
Mohloai Mpesi The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is investigating the missing M175 million owed to the government by Lucapa Diamonds for its 2017 acquisition of Mothae Diamond Mine. While the Ministry of Natural Resources says Australian company had paid the government, Deputy Accountant General ‘Mabakubung Pitso is adamant that there was no such payment reflected in the government’s accounts. This issue […]
FOR over two months now, the Maseru City Council (MCC) has been tidying the capital’s streets, relocating vendors to ease pedestrian movements and sprucing up the town’s overall image. Some of the vendors being evicted had illegally occupied pavements, creating congestion and forcing people to walk on the main roads thus endangering their lives from […]
wows party is stable despite CEC resignations accuses the press of misinforming the public Moroke Sekoboto BASOTHO Action Party (BAP)’s central executive committee (CEC) members, who have quit the party’s highest decision making body, were just rabblerousers whose plot to oust leader, Professor Nqosa Mahao, from the Ministry of Energy, failed. Embarrassed by their actions […]
Moroke Sekoboto Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) Teyateyaneng (TY) constituency committees have defended their MP, Lebona Lephema, against accusations that he was creating divisions within the ruling party as he allegedly pushes an agenda to succeed Prime Minister Sam Matekane. In a letter dated 15 July 2024, addressed to the RFP national executive committee (NEC), the committees expressed concern over statements by the RFP’s Peka MP, Mohopoli Monokoane, and some […]
…accuse ministry of failing to adjust their allowances and of paying them late Mathatisi Sebusi THE Ministry of Health stands accused of failing to pay village health workers (VHWs) timeously and not adjusting their M800 monthly allowances as per “promise”. But the ministry has rebuffed the accusations saying it never promised to adjust the allowances […]
Mathatisi Sebusi At least three out of five tuberculosis (TB) patients are dying while on treatment due to their inability to afford nutritious foods. The alarming statistics were revealed to parliamentarians during their tour of Matukeng Health Centre in the outskirts of Maseru this week. Staff at the center disclosed to the parliamentarians that more and more TB patients were dying because they were taking their medications on empty stomachs. Nurse Ntomane Khomane told the […]
Moorosi Tsiane HIGH Court judge, Justice Charles Hungwe, has harshly criticised a lawyer representing one of the soldiers facing charges of attempted murder and malicious damage to property in one of the high profile cases before him. Advocate Thapelo Ntsiki represented Heqoa Malefane, who is charged alongside former army commander Tlali Kamoli, Pitso Ramoepane, Litekanyo Nyakane, and Mohlalefi […]
…Moshoeshoe I Airport set to become an economic freezone area Mohloai Mpesi Moshoeshoe I International Airport is poised for significant renovations aimed at transforming it into an economic free–zone to revitalize Lesotho’s struggling economy. This initiative seeks to modernize the dilapidated airport, enabling it to accommodate large aircraft like the Boeing 767, which carries at least 300 passengers. […]
MINISTER of Public Works and Transport, Matjato Moteane, says he has made it his life’s mission to implement an ambitious programme of erecting a roads network connecting the country’s highland regions and districts for ease of travel and promotion of tourism. He says with Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s unwavering support, his ministry has already […]
Mohloai Mpesi POLITICAL differences, and not sexual harassment, were the main cause of the rift between Water and Sewage Company (WASCO)’s former CEO Thelejane Thelejane and Public Relations Manager, Lineo Moqasa. Ms Moqasa had accused Mr Thelejane of sexual harassment but an independent probe into the allegations outed her for lying. Ms Moqasa had lodged seven complaints […]
Hopolang Mokhopi Effective September 14 2024, cross-border transactions will require more detailed information, including the origin of the transaction, the sender’s occupation, both the sender and receiver’s residence, and the purpose of the transaction. This announcement was made at a press conference hosted by the Bankers Association of Lesotho (BAL) yesterday at Lancers Inn. This is in line […]
Moroke Sekoboto THE National University of Lesotho (NUL) and the Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) have launched a Personal Finance Management programme which aims to educate people on budgeting, saving, and spending money wisely while considering various financial risks and future life events. This programme will guide individuals on the suitability of different banking, insurance, and […]
Hopolang Mokhopi IN its quest to uplift the agricultural sector, Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) has awarded two farmers a total of M200,780 for their commitment to implementing good agricultural practices and food safety standards, thus improving their access to markets. The recipients were Litsoa-Mobung Fresh Producer and Riverside Fresh Farm Producer, awarded M161,000 and M39,780 respectively. […]
electoral body rejects the gvt’s decision to move NSS into its premises but gvt insists the IEC building is a threat to PM’s safety as it towers over State House Mohloai Mpesi THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)’s Director of Elections, Mpaiphele Maqutu, says the government’s attempts to move the National Security Service (NSS) into the […]
Hopolang Mokhopi THE last batches of Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) troops have returned home after helping in restoring peace and stability in Mozambique after a three-year deployment in that country’s Cabo Delgado province. The LDF contingent had been deployed in Cabo Delgado’s Nangande district to help quell the insurgency there. LDF spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sakeng Lekola, said the Nangande district, similar in size to Lesotho, had been devastated by the insurgency before the arrival […]
Leemisa Thuseho THE African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced its readiness to unlock between USD$300 and USD$400 million (M5.4 to M7.2 billion) in investments for Lesotho. This declaration was made by Afreximbank’s head of project preparation, Zitto Alfayo, during an interview with the Lesotho Times at a recent Joint Project Preparation Facility (JPPF) workshop between the bank and […]
One of the reasons Basotho flocked to vote the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) into power was because they believed the message of the party’s main sponsors that they were already far too rich. The only thing they now wanted was to devote the rest of their lives to serving Basotho. We hate to say it. […]
Moroke Sekoboto Basotho blanket producers, Aranda Textiles, have proudly unveiled the second edition of the Young Basotho Designers Collection (YBDC) for 2024. This initiative by Aranda Textiles aims to empower young designers of Basotho origin below the age of 45. The YBDC 2024 cohort includes Pule Kojoana, Kamohelo Chabana, Khethang “Morusu” Hlalele, Lintle Pholo, Matabe Lonia Tšauli, Samuel Ntlhakana, […]