Yearly Archives: 2024
Moorosi Tsiane THE legal battle over the ownership of the liquidated textile giant, Presitex Enterprise, has taken a new twist. The newly appointed liquidator, Kenneth Hlasa, is now challenging the legitimacy of the debts that led to the company’s liquidation in September 2023, calling them a hoax. Mr Hlasa claims there is no evidence that […]
…as EU donates furniture valued at M6.4 million to govt Staff Reporter THE government is currently decentralising service delivery within the justice system to various regions across the country. The Ministry of Law and Justice will soon begin offering Legal Aid services in six districts: Mokhotlong, Butha Buthe, Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Qacha’s Nek, and Thaba […]
Moroke Sekoboto RENOWNED radio personality Relebohile Mafatle, better known as Rated R, has officially stepped down from his role as a radio presenter after more than two decades in the industry. The Moshoeshoe II-born veteran resigned from Bokamoso FM last Thursday, marking the end of an era in radio presenting. However, his passion for the […]
–in male dominated construction sector MAMPENE Mohale is a young Mosotho woman who started from nothing but is now making waves in the construction sector. Her determination and resilient spirit, propelling her to break barriers in a predominantly male dominated profession. A civil engineering professional, Ms Mohale owns Honourable Designs Empire, a construction company employing ten people, […]
Seithati Motsoeneng IN a move towards innovation, the Water and Sewage Company (WASCO) has introduced new devices and mobile phone applications (apps) to streamline the meter reading process. The modern tools replace the traditional billing machines, which previously read customer bills, stored them on the company server, and later distributed them to customers. With the new system, […]
…whilst driving economic activity Staff Reporter ECONET Telecom Lesotho (ETL) has reaffirmed its commitment to uplifting sports in the country through its long-term sponsorship of schools’ sports. Over the past three years, the telecommunications giant has significantly impacted the nation’s youth and economy by investing M6 million into the Lesotho Institutions Sports Association (LISA) Games. This […]
…as internet remains effective tool for human trafficking Mohloai Mpesi THE spike in human trafficking in Lesotho is attributable to the country’s high poverty levels whose main contributory factor is high unemployment. This is according to experts who spoke to the Sunday Express recently. They argue that marginalised Basotho living in abject poverty, are in the […]
…As DCEO probes possible corruption Mohloai Mpesi A TUG-OF-WAR over a mining lease has cast a shadow over the new diamond mine located in Nqechane village in Leribe district. The dispute involves Batho Pele Mine which allegedly conducted the feasibility studies of the area from 2015 to 2020 and Sterlek Mining which allegedly hijacked the operations […]
Mathatisi Sebusi MINISTER of Health Selibe Mochboroane says government is making concerted efforts to protect Basotho against the Mpox-virus. This, Mr Mochoboroane says, is being done by increasing the country’s preparedness to respond to the virus should it invade Lesotho. Mr Mochoboroane spoke during the National Assembly’s Tuesday afternoon sitting. He said Lesotho’s preparedness to […]
finds no graft in ballot paper procurement process but DC dissatisfied with the outcome says it will take further action Mohloai Mpesi INDEPENDENT Electoral Commission (IEC) Director of Elections, Advocate (Adv) Mphaiphele Maqutu, has been cleared of corruption charges involving the procurement of election materials for the October 2022 general elections. The charges had been […]
…discloses that China-Africa trade has reached historic USD$282 billion Mohloai Mpesi THE prestigious Avani Maseru Hotel was a hub of elegance and excitement on Tuesday evening as dignitaries gathered in their finest attire to welcome the newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Lesotho, Yang Xiaokum. The grand reception […]
…demands answers over leaked Scott letter Moorosi Tsiane FORMER Minister of Small Business Development, Chalane Phori, has launched a scathing attack on the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) following the leak of an “incriminating” letter allegedly penned by convicted murderer and notorious criminal, Lehlohonolo Scott. Mr Phori, who is also a prominent member of the All Basotho Convention (ABC), […]
Mohloai Mpesi GOVERNMENT spokesperson, Thabo Sekonyela, has fiercely defended the government and the army, against accusations that they are fomenting human right violations in Lesotho. This after some of Lesotho’s civic groups accused Prime Minister Sam Matekane and deputy army boss, Major-General Matela Matobakele, of seeking to violate human rights in the name of combating crime […]
Mohloai Mpesi THE main opposition Democratic Congress (DC) has alleged that the National Security Service (NSS) is threatening its upcoming youth league elective indaba. The DC youth league elective conference is slated for tomorrow till Sunday at the Moshoeshoe II High School Hall in Matsieng. The conference is mandated to elect a new DC national […]
Mohloai Mpesi THE fate of Lesotho’s reforms hinges on the consciences of individual legislators across the political divide and their will to serve their country. This is according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Limpho Tau, who further asserts, that it is the responsibility of every legislator “to act with responsibility” when voting for […]
Hopolang Mokhopi NON governmental organisation, Partners in Health (PIH), has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance approach towards sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH). The organisation is thus taking stringent measures to prevent and address such incidents, ensuring that those benefiting from its services; patients, families, and community members, are treated with dignity and respect. PIH’s Safeguarding/SEAH Manager, Toka Senkoto, spoke […]
Mathatisi Sebusi Prolonged food insecurity in Lesotho, exacerbated by climate change impacts such as floods and droughts, has led to Basotho men being trafficked into illegal mining by organized crime syndicates operating in South Africa. According to the recently released 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Lesotho by the United States government, undocumented Basotho men who voluntarily migrate […]
Moorosi Tsiane THE murder trial of a Khubetsoana man, Qamo Matela, accused of the 2021 murder of his wife, ‘Mahlompho Matela, took a different turn this week with a South African pathologist discrediting a local post mortem report. South African doctor, Ntsidi Samuel Moopela, has raised concerns over the postmortem report conducted by a local pathologist, Lefatle Phakoane, following the death of […]
Moorosi Tsiane BOMBS had gone missing from the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) armoury in the wake of the attacks on former First Lady ‘Maesaiah Thabane’s Moshoeshoe II residence and the Ha-Abia home of then Police Commissioner Khothatso Tšooana. This according to the LDF’s Major Pali Hlehlisi who testified before the High Court this week. Major Hlehlisi, who was called as the eighth Crown […]
Hopolang Mokhopi Lehlohonolo Makotoane, 42, the husband of the late South African Magistrate and Acting Judge Mamello Thamae, has been extradited to South Africa under heavy escort by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS). He is set to face charges for allegedly murdering his wife in the Free State Province late last year. The formal extradition took place at […]
Hopolang Mokhopi IN a shocking incident, five men allegedly raped a mentally ill minor repeatedly. The five have all since been arrested and the police have lauded the Butha Buthe community for blowing the whistle which led to the arrests. Police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli, told the media this week that the five appeared […]
When state institutions fail the nation, it is the responsibility of the media to probe why and hold them accountable. It is what every responsible media institution must do. That is why the media is branded the fourth estate after the judiciary, executive and legislative arms of state? Unless your official domicile is beneath a […]
…As Mafisa redeploys 16 officers in an “act of vengeance” Staff Reporters The calamitous situation at the National Security Service (NSS) is worsening. The spy agency’s Acting Director General, Lebohang Mafisa, stands accused of continuing to run the organisation into the ground. This as he seeks to consolidate his power by surrounding himself with sycophants […]
…says army would never torture lawyers …but vows to crack down on famo gangsters Moorosi Tsiane ARMY commander, Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, says the army would never target lawyers and judges because they play a critical role in the administration of justice in the country. The army also fully respected the rule of law and […]
…say lack of resources crippling their operations … plead for full autonomy to be more effective Mohloai Mpesi LESOTHO’s oversight institutions have lamented their underfunding by the state, which they say hampers their offices from efficiently executing their mandates. According to these institutions, whose primary mandates range from reining in corruption, auditing government books, to […]
…who now demands M5 million compensation from the LDF Moorosi Tsiane DEPUTY army commander, Major General Matela Matobakele, has landed the army in hot soup. It has been slapped with a M5 million lawsuit for the alleged torture of a Leribe civilian, Liteboho Mahloane, suspected of being a famo-gang member. Maj Gen Matobakele is alleged to have spearheaded the assault of Mr Mahloane, resulting in the latter breaking arms and […]
Moorosi Tsiane MASERU Resident Magistrate, Motlatsi Kolisang, and his Quthing counterpart, Palesa Rantara, came under intense scrutiny during interviews for High Court judges in Maseru this week. The two magistrates, alongside Itumeleng ‘Mamokhali Shale, Head of the Department of Procedural and Adjectival Law at the National University of Lesotho (NUL), were shortlisted from the 21 applicants received by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for three vacant High Court judge […]
…as judges and magistrates undergo refresher training Moorosi Tsiane WHITE collar crime remains the biggest challenge crippling the country’s economy. Minister of Law and Justice, Richard Ramoeletsi, says the government had therefore seen the need to capacitate judges and magistrates to effectively adjudicate over the ever-rising money laundering and corruption cases. Mr Ramoeletsi said this in […]
Moroke Sekoboto THE Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) has destroyed 557 cartons and 76 boxes of illegal cigarettes with an estimated street value of M126 000. The products were trashed at Tšoeneng Landfill in Rothe, Maseru, this week. Some of the seized products were prohibited from being on the market while others were undeclared. According to RSL Manager […]
Human trafficking is now Lesotho’s worst nightmare
THE spike in human trafficking in Lesotho, instilling fear in the nation and courting the attention of not only development partners but the whole world, is a reality we cannot wish away. And, at the heart of the human trafficking scourge in Lesotho, are two primary socio-economic factors: high unemployment especially among the youth and […]