…says it will no longer pay children’s fees
Moorosi Tsiane
FAMILIES of three Lesotho soldiers, who died during the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), have been left stranded after the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) cancelled its support for their children’s education, the Lesotho Times has learned.
The pledge to fund the children’s fees had been made by LDF Commander Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela to the soldiers widows.
But the army has now reneged on the commitment to fund schooling for the children of slain Commandos, Privates Moalosi Khoaele and Lebuoajoang Nonyana, and Commando Corporal Lebohang Mofoka.
While the LDF had paid the fees for about two years, it has now wholly cancelled the arrangement citing lack of funds.
SAMIM was launched on 15 July 2021 to assist Mozambique in combating insurgents in its northern province of Cabo Delgado. Lesotho deployed more than 300 soldiers to the mission, which ended in August 2023, with full withdrawal completed by July 2024. The three Basotho soldiers died while on deployment—one from malaria, another in a car accident, and the third in combat.
According to family members, the widows were recently called to a meeting with the LDF command, where they were informed that the army no longer had funds to continue paying school fees for the children.
“Last week, the wives of the three soldiers were called in by LDF command, where the Commander told them the army does not have funds to continue the support. He said the undertaking he made during their husbands’ funerals was a personal gesture of goodwill and was not budgeted for,” a source said.
The decision effectively shifts the burden onto already struggling families.
“He (Letsoela) said they should source funding for their children’s school fees elsewhere, but there was no clear indication of whether the LDF might resume payments in future. The widows are now left in the dark,” the source added.
Four children are affected—three in high school and one in primary school. The LDF had covered their fees in 2023 and 2024, and partially in 2025, before discontinuing the support.
The families say they were also advised to consider taking loans.
“They were told they could take loans, but no one explained who would repay them,” the source said.
The issue of school fees adds to longstanding grievances over compensation for the families of the fallen soldiers.
The families were each paid US$50,000, which they believe fell short of the expected amounts.
“What is frustrating is that they were given US$50,000 instead of the US$70,000 said to be payable in the event of death. At the time, the families were grieving and could not question these matters,” the source said.
However, government has defended the amount paid.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Limpho Tau, said the US$70,000 compensation was introduced after the deaths of the three soldiers.
“Based on Article 13 of the Status of Forces Agreement, compensation was initially set at US$50,000. The revision to US$70,000 was made in March 2023, long after our soldiers had passed. Therefore, it does not apply to them,” Mr Tau said.
The families’ concerns go beyond the amount paid, as they allegedly also complained about lack of transparency in how benefits were handled.
“The families were only told about terminal benefits but were never shown anything concrete. The widows receive monthly pension payments, but they do not understand how those figures were calculated,” the source said.
“They received M100,000 payment each promised by the Prime Minister, but they said it does not address their broader concerns.”
The families are said to also feel intimidated and unable to question the military’s leadership.
“It is not easy to question the army Commander, especially in a room full of senior officers. These are widows who are already vulnerable,” the source said.
However, the three families declined to comment on the matter for fear of reprisals.
Nonetheless, LDF spokesperson, Colonel Sakeng Lekola, confirmed the meeting with the widows and acknowledged the army’s financial constraints.
“The Commander made the promise in good faith, hoping it would be sustainable, but the scheme used to pay school fees has run out of funds,” Col Lekola said.
He said the families have been asked to propose possible solutions.
“All parties agreed that the families will return with suggestions, together with the HR and finance offices, so that we can find a middle ground.”
Col Lekola insisted the LDF remains committed to supporting the families.
“We will always honour these soldiers. The Commander regards the widows as part of the military family and is willing to assist where possible,” he said.
