…as calls grow for impartial probe into alleged attack
Ithabeleng Qhasho
MINISTRY of Defence and National Security Permanent Secretary, Mpopo Tšoele, has distanced the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) from the alleged abduction and assault of Newsday editor and human rights activist, Kananelo Boloetse.
Mr Boloetse was reportedly abducted from his home in Katlehong, Maseru, on Saturday evening by three unidentified armed men.
Amid allegations that the men could have been from one of the country’s security agencies, Mr Tšoele has moved fast to dispel any suggestions that LDF soldiers might have been involved.
The men were allegedly travelling in a silver-grey Toyota Starlet bearing registration number A 887 BBC.
According to reports, the assailants questioned Mr Boloetse about his journalism and human rights work before blindfolding and gagging him, tying his hands with a cable tie and driving him to Thaba-Bosiu.
He was allegedly brutally assaulted and left seriously injured on a pile of rubbish near the Phuthiatsana River bridge. The attackers reportedly threatened to kill him if he reported the incident.
The alleged attack has raised fresh concerns about the safety of journalists, human rights defenders and others who challenge state institutions and demand greater accountability and transparency.
Mr Boloetse is a long-standing human rights activist and has been involved in Section 2, a group that has challenged the government decisions and actions deemed to infringe on human rights.
He is also a former chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho and has used both his journalism and advocacy work to push for the protection of human rights, press freedom and accountable governance.
Beyond his media and human rights work, Mr Boloetse has been involved in the Youth Dialogues Initiative since its formation in April 2025. The initiative brings together young people and individuals from different organisations and backgrounds to discuss Lesotho’s economic independence and the challenges facing the country.
According to the Initiative, Mr Boloetse participated in dialogues held across all 10 districts and supported efforts to give young people a platform to shape ideas for Lesotho’s future.
The Initiative said it was particularly saddened by the attack because of Mr Boloetse’s commitment to young people and marginalised communities, saying he had at times sacrificed his own career to advance their interests.
Newsday Managing Director, Lerato Matheka, said the attack was not only intended to harm Mr Boloetse but also to intimidate the wider journalism fraternity and discourage critical reporting.
Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, Nthati Moorosi, visited the Newsday offices on Monday to express solidarity with and comfort staff following the incident.
Ms Moorosi pledged the government’s support in efforts to combat media victimisation and create a safe environment for journalists to work without fear or intimidation.
She urged journalists to remain steadfast, professional and ethical, saying the media plays a crucial role in informing the public and strengthening democracy.
“Any form of harassment, intimidation, assault or killing of journalists is something that we, as the government, strongly condemn because it tarnishes the image of good governance. Good governance dictates that every institution must be able to carry out its mandate independently, without being influenced or interfered with by another,” Ms Moorosi said.
Meanwhile, Mr Tšoele told the Lesotho Times this week that such an incident could not have been carried out by soldiers under his watch.
He denied allegations that members of the LDF were involved in the alleged abduction and assault.
“There is no way an abduction and attack of an editor could happen under my watch. If it happened, it would be soldiers acting on their own.
“Before being a PS, I am an activist myself who advocates for protection of human rights. Therefore, I asked the army about the incident and they promised that they had nothing to do with it,” he said.
Mr Tšoele also questioned what he would gain from allowing anyone under his watch to target Mr Boloetse.
Citing Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s call for a transparent government, Mr Tšoele said the government must maintain a strong relationship with journalists and media organisations.
He said his philosophy was to communicate with the public through the media, stressing that transparency could not be achieved without working with journalists and publishers.
Meanwhile, MISA Lesotho has strongly condemned the reported abduction and torture of Mr Boloetse.
In a statement dated 7 September 2026, the organisation described the incident as an attack on press freedom and an attempt to intimidate journalists and force self-censorship.
MISA called on the LMPS to conduct an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into the incident.
It also called for the reported silver Toyota Starlet, registration A 887 BBC, to be investigated and for all individuals found responsible to be brought to justice.
MISA further called on the government to provide safety guarantees for Mr Boloetse, his family and the Newsday Media team.
The Youth Dialogues Initiative and Section 2 have similarly called for an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack and for those responsible to face the full force of the law.
They said they would continue with thier work despite the attack, arguing that Mr Boloetse would want efforts to advance the interests of young people and marginalised communities to continue undeterred.
MISA urged journalists not to allow fear to influence their editorial decisions, saying an attack on one journalist is an attack on the public’s right to know.
Amnesty demands urgent investigation
Amnesty International has joined calls for the Lesotho authorities to investigate the alleged abduction and assault, describing the incident as deeply alarming.
Responding to reports that Mr Boloetse was abducted, assaulted and threatened with death, Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Vongai Chikwanda, said the incident raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists and human rights defenders in Lesotho.
“The reported abduction and brutal assault of Kananelo Boloetse is deeply alarming and raises serious concerns for the safety of journalists and human rights defenders in Lesotho,” Ms Chikwanda said.
She called on the authorities to urgently take all necessary measures to guarantee Mr Boloetse’s safety and protect him from further threats, intimidation or reprisals.
Ms Chikwanda also demanded a prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into his alleged abduction, assault and threats against his life, with any suspects brought to justice through fair proceedings.
“Journalists and human rights defenders must be able to carry out their work freely and safely. Violence, threats or intimidation against those exercising their right to freedom of expression should never be tolerated and must not go unpunished,” she said.
IPI condemns attack
The International Press Institute (IPI) has also condemned the alleged abduction and assault of Mr Boloetse, describing him as a Newsday editor and human rights activist.
IPI called on Lesotho’s authorities to swiftly and thoroughly investigate the attack and hold those responsible accountable.
