Tefo Tefo The corruption trial of former Natural Resources Minister, Monyane Moleleki, would begin on 26 August this year as scheduled despite the continued uncertainty over his health, the prosecution has said. Acting Chief Justice Tšeliso Monapathi announced the trial date last month after the case had been postponed on several occasions due to Mr […]
Billy Ntaote The Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) vice-chairperson, Matjako Nkhahle, is facing disciplinary action for reportedly bringing the ecumenical organisation into disrepute. Ms Nkhahle is in hot water for her interview which appeared in the Lesotho Times last week, in which she said the CCL did not sanction Reverend Tšeliso Masemene’s trip to New […]
Billy Ntaote The ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) is rebuilding its structures which were disbanded after the party’s dismal showing in the 26 May 2012 parliamentary election. The LCD only won 12 of the 80 contested constituencies, while its splinter party, the Democratic Congress (DC) claimed 41 and the All Basotho Convention (ABC) took […]
Limpho Sello The Lesotho Funeral Services (LFS) donated winter jackets worth M20 000 to Prime Minister Thomas Thabane at State House yesterday. The LFS Deputy Managing Director, Tefo Mapesela, said the clothing was meant to support Dr Thabane in his efforts to support vulnerable children and women across the country. The premier’s current winter support […]
Letuka Chafotsa Liabiloe Ramoholi yesterday continued with her charity targeted needy members of society. Ms Ramoholi, who is Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s partner, yesterday visited marginalised members of the Ha-Moruthoane community to assess their needs. The move, she said, was inspired by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Matšepo Ramakoae. During yesterday’s visit, Ms Ramoholi first […]
Tsitsi Matope The Director of Chieftainship, Chief Mikia Molapo, says those calling for the daughters of chiefs to succeed their late fathers should “realistically and practically” analyse how this would impact on Basotho as a nation. Chief Molapo, whose office falls under the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship Affairs, insists customs pertaining to the […]
The Revolutionary Alliance for Democracy (RAD) seeks to drive an aggressive economic agenda to benefit the young generation Billy Ntaote Some Berea youths have formed a political party called the Revolutionary Alliance for Democracy (RAD). The youths, from the villages of Sekameng, Ha Mabote and Khubetsoana, are under the leadership of 30-year-old Tšepo Mochali, who […]
. . . deputy premier says LCD ministers the only targets Billy Ntaote Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Mothetjoa Metsing, who is reportedly under investigations over his alleged role in a multi-million maloti roads tender scam, has denounced Prime Minister Thaomas Thabane’s anti-corruption crusade saying it seemed designed to target ministers from his Lesotho Congress […]
Billy Ntaote THE Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) has distanced itself from last week’s study tour of New Zealand by a 24-member delegation of local politicians, civil servants, and civil society officials, saying they were not represented in the entourage. The weeklong tour was facilitated by the New Zealand parliament in association with the Commonwealth […]
Billy Ntaote Lesotho’s feuding government parties have missed their self-imposed deadline to sign a new amended agreement today, aimed at saving their coalition from total collapse. The revised agreement would now be signed in two weeks’ time, assuming the three parties find each other and agree on a uniform set of amendments to the original […]
Tefo Tefo The defence has urged the Constitutional Court to dismiss an application made by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Leaba Thetsane, in which he is challenging his forced retirement by the government. The DPP has cited the Prime Minister, Government Secretary (GS), Minister of Law and Constitutional Affairs and Attorney General as respondents […]
Limpho Sello The European Union (EU) has pledged M1.1 billion to Lesotho’s water and sanitation sector for the period 2015 to 2016. The commitment was made by the Head of the European Union Mission in Lesotho, Hans Duynhouwer during the Joint Annual Review of the water sector held in Maseru on Monday this week. Ambassador […]
Mohalenyane Phakela The Minister of Health, Pinkie Manamolela, yesterday visited the Butha-Buthe woman who gave birth to four babies at Seboche Hospital last month. Mabereng Koloi was blessed with three daughters and one son on 2 June, and the family had to be transferred to Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (Tšepong) the following day for specialist […]
Tefo Tefo Two senior lawyers, Advocate Sakoane Peter Sakoane (King’s Counsel) and Advocate Keketso Lesihla Moahloli, have been elevated to the High Court bench as acting judges. In his speech during the swearing-in ceremony held on Tuesday this week, Acting Chief Justice Tšeliso Monaphathi said the move was meant to address the backlog of cases […]
MAPOTENG –– Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s partner, Liabiloe Ramoholi, was in Mapoteng yesterday where she presented three villagers living with disabilities with goods worth M6000. The goods which included two wheelchairs, kerosene-heaters, paraffin, and maize-meal, among others, were from the Office of the Prime Minister. A special visit was also made to 118-year-old ‘Mamohlapisi Mabakole, […]
Deputy prime minister under investigation over road deal Staff Writers Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing is under investigation for alleged corruption in the awarding of a M120 million road-construction tender to a Maseru-based construction company last year. According to highly-placed sources who cannot be named for professional reasons, investigators from the Lesotho Mounted Police […]
Bongiwe Zihlangu THE highly anticipated second leg of reconciliatory talks between the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), All Basotho Convention (ABC) and Basotho National Party (BNP) leaders, which had been scheduled for yesterday, were postponed to today. The Lesotho Times was told last night that the crucial talks had to be rescheduled to allow LCD […]
Keiso Mohloboli Eight Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) officers have been suspended in connection with Lehlohonolo Scott’s dramatic escape from the Maseru Central Prison on 14 October 2012. Scott (29) was awaiting trial for the alleged ritual murder of Moholobela Seetsa and Kamohelo Mohata of Koalabata in January and June 2012 respectively, at the time of […]
Deputy Finance Minister says all it takes is unity for Lesotho to have its first female premier. Tsitsi Matope The Deputy Minister of Finance, ‘Matšepo Ramakoae, has called on women to unite and work towards electing Lesotho’s first female prime minister. Ms Ramakoae — who is also the All Basotho Convention (ABC) Member of […]
. . . deputy premier says LCD under attack from other parties Bongiwe Zihlangu The Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) leader, Mothetjoa Metsing, has warned party supporters against allowing “detractors” to use their hands “in destroying your party”. According to Mr Metsing, who was addressing a rally in Maseru on Sunday, the LCD had […]
Tefo Tefo The Constitutional Court is, next Wednesday, set to hear a case in which the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Leaba Thetsane, is challenging government’s decision to send him on forced retirement. The hearing date was set yesterday after government filed answering papers, maintaining its stance to remove Advocate Thetsane (King’s Counsel) from office […]
Tsitsi Matope The Deputy Minister of Finance, ‘Matšepo Ramakoae, says Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s “tough stance” on corruption and underperforming ministries has contributed to the current disharmony in the coalition government. In a wide-ranging interview, Ms Ramakoae told the Lesotho Times that women in the coalition government — which comprises Dr Thabane’s All Basotho Convention […]
Billy Ntaote The World Bank has approved US$15.435 million (M135 million) for Lesotho’s Water Sector Improvement Project Phase Two. The project will further support the long-term sustainability of the Metolong Dam and Water Supply Programme, advance preparation for the hydropower component under Phase Two of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP2), and assist government in […]
. . . party accuses premier of using prorogation as ‘survival device’ Keiso Mohloboli The country’s main opposition party, the Democratic Congress (DC), says the current nine-month suspension of parliament by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane is unacceptable and “a tactic to benefit an individual and not the nation”. Dr Thabane prorogued parliament early this […]
Billy Ntaote The National University of Lesotho (NUL) is said to be “returning to its glory days” following this week’s release of the students’ results for the 2013/14 academic year. Last year, NUL recorded its worst results since the university was established in 1945, but according to officials who spoke to the Lesotho Times this […]
Two young Maseru entrepreneurs introduce inexpensive motorised bicycles that could be the answer to the transport problems many Basotho face on a daily basis Tsitsi Matope It is fast, inexpensive to buy and maintain, easy to operate and does not require the operator to go through the frustrating experience of acquiring a driver’s licence. […]
…as parties seek fresh mandate for crunch talks Bongiwe Zihlangu THE All Basotho Convention (ABC), Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and Basotho National Party (BNP) today enter Day Two of make-or-break talks aimed at resolving differences which have soured relations between the three governing parties. Addressing a press conference last night on the outcome […]
DPP files urgent court application challenging government’s bid to remove him from office Tefo Tefo The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Leaba Thetsane yesterday filed an urgent application in the Constitutional Court challenging Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s bid to retire him. Advocate Thetsane (King’s Counsel) approached the court after receiving a letter from Acting […]
. . . as LDF guards deny police commissioner and his deputy entry ‘Mantoetse Maama THE Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) Commissioner Khothatso Tšooana and Deputy Commissioner Masupha Masupha were told to leave their vehicles and bodyguards at the main entrance of State House — and then walk to their meeting with Prime Minister Thomas […]
