’Makananelo Manamolela
ALL Basotho Convention (ABC) leader, Nkaku Kabi, has petitioned the Speaker of the National Assembly, Tlohang Sekhamane, to reconvene Parliament to address this week’s hefty increases of fuel prices.
In a letter sent to the Speaker’s office yesterday, Mr Kabi described the fuel hike as a “national crisis” requiring the urgent attention of Members of Parliament.
Parliament is currently on Easter break which commenced last Friday and ends on 24 April 2026.
“The nation has been deeply affected by increasing fuel prices. Such increases come at a time when most Basotho are unemployed, continue to lose their jobs at an alarming rate, and are living in poverty. This will also drive up food prices and further affect poor households,” Mr Kabi wrote.
“I am making a plea for the recall of Parliament to address this matter and to direct government to provide a fuel subsidy that will cushion the nation from this crisis.”
His remarks come against the backdrop of the latest fuel price adjustments and subsidy measures announced by Prime Minister Sam Matekane on Tuesday evening.
Mr Matekane said the government would subsidise petrol, diesel and paraffin to ease the burden on consumers. This after petrol 93 increased by M6.70 per litre, with a M2 subsidy bringing the pump price to M22.50. Petrol 95 rose by M7.35 per litre, also with a M2 subsidy, resulting in a price of M23.30 per litre.
Diesel 50 increased by an unprecedented M13.10 per litre, with a M2 subsidy applied, bringing the price to M30.50 per litre. Illuminating paraffin rose by M13.30 per litre, with a higher subsidy of M5 per litre, resulting in a new price of M21.30.
Further addressing the media yesterday at ABC offices in Maseru, Mr Kabi criticised the government, accusing it of neglecting Basotho and mishandling the fuel crisis.
“This issue started last week when the country experienced fuel shortages at many filling stations. We nearly cancelled our rally on Sunday because of that. The country does not have fuel reserves, just as it lacks food reserves. If South Africa were to stop supplying Lesotho with fuel, economic activity would come to a halt,” he said.
Mr Kabi also highlighted other pressing concerns, including the closure of dairy storage facilities for farmers after they were asked to contribute towards maintenance costs, and the disruption of wool exports due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in neighbouring South Africa.
He further raised concerns about rising cancer-related deaths, accusing the government of failing to prioritise public health awareness and preventative measures.
“This government is not considerate of the people who put it into office. Cancer is killing Basotho, yet there is little effort to promote proper nutrition and prevention. Promises such as food subsidies have not been fulfilled,” he said.
Mr Kabi also revisited the government’s 2022 commitment to review salary structures, urging the Prime Minister to implement a 15 percent increase for public servants instead of the current two percent adjustment. He further called for an increase in old-age pensions by M250 instead of the M50 increment the government awarded for 2026/27 fiscal year. Old-age pensioners are to earn M1000 starting this month. He also questioned the viability of promised youth job creation initiatives.
He argued that the country had the financial capacity to address these issues through revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), royalties from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), and tax collections.
Meanwhile, ABC spokesperson, Mphonyane Lebesa, raised concerns about the recruitment process for enumerators for the upcoming national population and housing census.
Mr Lebesa alleged that of the 7000 positions available—largely intended for young people—about 6000 had been allocated to parties within the ruling coalition, a move he criticised as unfair and politically motivated.
