Yearly Archives: 2024
Mathatisi Sebusi THE Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) is at odds with the community it relocated to Ha Tsolo in Maseru to pave way for its first water project. The community was relocated from Ha Katse in Thaba Tseka between 1997 and 1998 to pave way for the construction of Katse Dam under Phase I of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. […]
Mathatisi Sebusi THE Water and Sewage Company (WASCO) has been grilled by the Natural Resource Cluster Committee over its failure to connect water supplies to the Ha Matholoana community and its surrounding villages despite funds being set aside for the project. Ha Matholoana and the other 19 villages are located along pipelines that transfer water from Metolong Dam to Maseru and Morija, among […]
Hopolang Mokhopi STANDARD Lesotho Bank (SLB) has held its inaugural Supplier Symposium 2024, celebrating a milestone in collaboration, partnership, and sustainable growth with its suppliers. The event was themed: “Driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth in partnership with our suppliers, clients, and stakeholders”. The symposium, which took place this week in Maseru, aimed to foster […]
Staff Reporter IN a heartfelt plea for greater support for the arts, veteran South African actress, Lillian Dube, has appealed to the Lesotho government to invest in and nurture the country’s rich cultural tapestry. Speaking at the recent launch of Endurance film, the brainchild of renowned local actress, and communications specialist, Matšeliso Mohale, Ms Dube […]
Moroke Sekoboto The Ministry of Education and Training has convened Lesotho’s inaugural Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) conference in partnership with UNICEF Lesotho. Held at Avani Maseru last week and dubbed “Beyond Brick and Mortar: Investing in Our Most Valuable Asset—Building Blocks for the Future”, the event brought together governments, development partners, private sector, funding agencies, and civil society organisations, […]
Seithati Motšoeneng SENTEBALE GAP Funeral Services has made a significant impact by donating various vegetable seeds to the Butha-Buthe correctional facility. The donation, which was made on October 29, 2024, stems from a direct appeal by the Commissioner of Prisons, Mating Nkakala, who sought essential seeds to enhance agricultural production within the rehabilitation centre. Senior […]
Seithati Motsoeneng THE Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) has equipped its public relations (PR) third-year students with skills to build resilience in navigating the cyber world and operating in the media. The event, themed “Utilising social media for effective PR and media success,” focused on equipping students with essential skills and knowledge for careers in the media. It was held yesterday […]
Moroke Sekoboto MICRO lender, Thusong Financial Services (TFS), has launched a campaign aimed at promoting financial literacy and inclusion among Basotho. Titled ‘Show Me the Money’, the campaign kicked off on 1 November and will run for three months until 31 January 2025. The initiative focuses on improving lives, educating the public about financial literacy, and giving back […]
Africa’s leading financial service provider, Mukuru, has stepped up to provide a solution for customers in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini by leveraging its extensive cross-boarder network to help them adapt to the recently revamped cross border transfer regulations in the region. The financial landscape of the Common Monetary Area (CMA) is poised to […]
as MP Moshe Makotoko allegedly oversaw temporary staff recruitment After Minister Lephema removed human resources director out of office Mohloai Mpesi Damning revelations have emerged over the “corrupt” recruitment process for 3400 temporary staff at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs, and Police. The process was allegedly led by Moshe Makotoko, the Revolution […]
Mohloai Mpesi THE National Identity Card (Amendment) Bill 2024, which aims to halt the expiration of identity cards, did not proceed to its second reading in the National Assembly earlier this week. The Bill, introduced by Thabiso Lekitla, a Democratic Congress (DC) legislator from Mekaling, as a private member’s Bill, seeks to amend the National […]
Mohloai Mpesi THE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) says it is still pursuing the fertiliser fraud case against Peka constituency legislator, Mohopoli Monokoane, despite reports that it has dropped the case. Mr Monokoane had celebrated with his supporters on Tuesday, declaring that he was a free man as the DCEO would not be charging him. But the antigraft body has since contradicted his claims. […]
Bongiwe Zihlangu DEPUTY Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mahlape Morai, has instructed traffic officers to desist from harassing motorists by illegally impounding their vehicles and confiscating their drivers’ licences and motor vehicle registration documents as collateral to compel them to report to the police. Vehicles should only be seized when they are needed as evidence in […]
Moorosi Tsiane A TOP lawyer has urged Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Hlalefang Motinyane, to improve her office’s competences in handling criminal cases to ensure justice for victims of crime. This follows a number of Court of Appeal judgments last week that exposed shortcomings in her office’s handling of cases. Top lawyer and former Deputy Prime Minister, Advocate Kelebone Maope KC, emphasised the […]
Moroke Sekoboto LOCAL motorists are feeling the pinch of this week’s fuel hike. Petrol 93 increased by 30 cents per litre, while petrol 95, diesel 50, and illuminating paraffin, each rose by 45 cents per litre. The higher fuel prices announced by the Petroleum Fund this week came into effect yesterday after two months (September and […]
Moorosi Tsiane THE murder trial of former army commander Tlali Kamoli, in connection with the 2015 murder of Lieutenant General (Lt-Gen) Maaparankoe Mahao, stalled on Tuesday after his lawyer, Advocate Letuka Molati, informed the court that Kamoli was unfit to stand trial because of an illness. Advocate Molati claimed that Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) officers had refused to take […]
Moroke Sekoboto THE Ministry of Health, through its Department of Pharmaceuticals, has urged the public to use medicines safely and to report any side effects that they may feel after taking medications. Marelebohile Mabuzela, a representative from that department, said using medicines correctly could significantly reduce the risk of side effects and serious harm. […]
Seithati Motšoeneng LOCAL musicians can finally celebrate a significant development: their music will now earn royalties from commercial use. This was formalised through a government gazette issued on Monday, which outlines the new tariffs for those using Basotho musicians’ works registered with the Lesotho Copyright Society of Authors (LESCOSA). The tariffs apply to a wide […]
…Providing significant relief for developing countries Seithati Motšoeneng In a bold strategic move to empower low-income countries in overcoming the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has decisively announced a 36 percent reduction in borrowing costs. This significant decrease which took effect on November 1 2024, translates […]
So there you have it. Our own version of Machesetsa is now in the White House. The Donald is now president elect of the world’s “greatest” nation – the United States. Yes, we get some goodies here in Lesotho from Uncle Sam to help us pay for the poverty created by the misgovernance and […]
Hopolang Mokhopi THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has released guidelines, known as Preferred Product Characteristics (PPC), for blood-based diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Developed with a group of 20 leading scientists, these guidelines aim to help create affordable and effective tests suitable for global use, including in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The PPC […]
DCEO seeks arrest warrants Amid bad faith accusations Moorosi Tsiane THE M280 million fraud and money laundering case involving collapsed micro-lender, Platinum Credit, has taken a new twist with the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) seeking arrest warrants against the company’s international investors while negotiating to have their two alleged local accomplices off the […]
Mathatisi Sebusi THE government has reportedly incurred a loss of M49 million, with potential for even more losses, after the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) allegedly engaged an underqualified contractor for the Ha Belo electrification project. According to a confidential report by an engineer commissioned by the Ministry of Energy, the contractor lacked the necessary skills to execute […]
Mathatisi Sebusi THE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) is investigating the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs, and Police over alleged corruption related to the recruitment of 363 temporary staff at the National Identity Documents and Civil Registration (NICR) and Livestock Registration, Marking, and Information Systems (LRMIS) projects. The DCEO wrote to the ministry’s […]
The Lesotho Times has noted with concern the circulation of derogatory posts online concerning His Majesty King Letsie III, Prime Minister Sam Matekane, and former Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro, among others, falsely attributed to the publication. The Lesotho Times, as the nation’s leading newspaper, firmly distances itself from these posts, which were never published […]
Mohloai Mpesi THE Lesotho Nursing Council (LNC) has raised alarm over a concerning rise in illegal abortions, some of which have resulted in deaths. This comes after reports emerged last week that certain health professionals, particularly nurses, are performing backstreet abortions outside their official workplaces, with some reportedly conducting procedures at their privately owned pharmacies. […]
…seeks to charge him for fertiliser “theft” Mohloai Mpesi THE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) says it is going to charge Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) Member of Parliament for Peka and prominent businessman, Mohopoli Monokoane, for theft of government fertilisers meant for poor farmers. The anti–corruption body had planned to drag Mr Monokoane to court yesterday. However, the anticipated court appearance has […]
Mohloai Mpesi THE African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) has convened its 48th session to strengthen intellectual property (IP) systems in Southern Africa. The region has long faced challenges due to an insufficient legal framework on IP. The five-day session, attended by representatives from 22 African countries, began on Monday at Avani Lesotho and concludes […]
Hopolang Mokhopi STANDARD Lesotho Bank (SLB) has pledged a significant M1.9 million donation to support the development of Lesotho’s first dedicated cancer hospice, Starlight Oasis of Hope Hospice. The sod-turning ceremony took place yesterday in Maqhaka, Berea, graced by Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso, along with distinguished guests including the British High Commissioner Harry […]
Moroke Sekoboto FORTY-four young herders from Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek will soon receive Merino sheep to help them create sustainable livelihoods for themselves under the Poverty Reduction Programme (PReP), a project managed by the Prime Minister’s Office. This initiative aims to empower local shepherds by providing access to this high-quality breed, enabling them to expand their herds and enhance […]