Local News, News
November 20, 2024
128 views 2 mins 0

Sentebale Gap Funeral extends helping hand to Butha-Buthe Prison 

Seithati Motšoeneng  SENTEBALE GAP Funeral Services has made a significant impact by donating various vegetable seeds to the Butha-Buthe correctional facility.   The donation, which was made on October 29, 2024, stems from a direct appeal by the Commissioner of Prisons, Mating Nkakala, who sought essential seeds to enhance agricultural production within the rehabilitation centre.  Senior […]

Local News, News
November 20, 2024
28 views 2 mins 0

Limkokwing students educated on safe cyber practices 

Seithati Motsoeneng  THE Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) has equipped its public relations (PR) third-year students with skills to build resilience in navigating the cyber world and operating in the media.   The event, themed “Utilising social media for effective PR and media success,” focused on equipping students with essential skills and knowledge for careers in the media.  It was held yesterday […]

Local News, News
November 20, 2024
34 views 2 mins 0

TFS launches financial literacy campaign 

Moroke Sekoboto  MICRO lender, Thusong Financial Services (TFS), has launched a campaign aimed at promoting financial literacy and inclusion among Basotho.  Titled ‘Show Me the Money’, the campaign kicked off on 1 November and will run for three months until 31 January 2025.  The initiative focuses on improving lives, educating the public about financial literacy, and giving back […]

Local News, News
November 12, 2024
62 views 8 mins 0

Recruitment rot exposed at Home Affairs 

as MP Moshe Makotoko allegedly oversaw temporary staff recruitment  After Minister Lephema removed human resources director out of office  Mohloai Mpesi  Damning revelations have emerged over the “corrupt” recruitment process for 3400 temporary staff at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs, and Police.  The process was allegedly led by Moshe Makotoko, the Revolution […]

Local News, News
November 12, 2024
39 views 3 mins 0

Minister defers ID Bill 

Mohloai Mpesi  THE National Identity Card (Amendment) Bill 2024, which aims to halt the expiration of identity cards, did not proceed to its second reading in the National Assembly earlier this week.  The Bill, introduced by Thabiso Lekitla, a Democratic Congress (DC) legislator from Mekaling, as a private member’s Bill, seeks to amend the National […]

Local News, News
November 12, 2024
54 views 7 mins 0

Not yet uhuru for Monokoane – DCEO 

Mohloai Mpesi  THE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) says it is still pursuing the fertiliser fraud case against Peka constituency legislator, Mohopoli Monokoane, despite reports that it has dropped the case.  Mr Monokoane had celebrated with his supporters on Tuesday, declaring that he was a free man as the DCEO would not be charging him. But the antigraft body has since contradicted his claims.  […]

Local News, News
November 12, 2024
70 views 6 mins 0

Morai calls out corrupt traffic officers 

Bongiwe Zihlangu  DEPUTY Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mahlape Morai, has instructed traffic officers to desist from harassing motorists by illegally impounding their vehicles and confiscating their drivers’ licences and motor vehicle registration documents as collateral to compel them to report to the police.  Vehicles should only be seized when they are needed as evidence in […]

Local News, News
November 12, 2024
46 views 7 mins 0

Top lawyer urges DPP to improve case management systems 

Moorosi Tsiane  A TOP lawyer has urged Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Hlalefang Motinyane, to improve her office’s competences in handling criminal cases to ensure justice for victims of crime.  This follows a number of Court of Appeal judgments last week that exposed shortcomings in her office’s handling of cases.  Top lawyer and former Deputy Prime Minister, Advocate Kelebone Maope KC, emphasised the […]

Local News, News
November 12, 2024
15 views 2 mins 0

Motorists feel fuel hike pinch 

 Moroke Sekoboto   LOCAL motorists are feeling the pinch of this week’s fuel hike.  Petrol 93 increased by 30 cents per litre, while petrol 95, diesel 50, and illuminating paraffin, each rose by 45 cents per litre.  The higher fuel prices announced by the Petroleum Fund this week came into effect yesterday after two months (September and […]

Local News, News
November 12, 2024
84 views 2 mins 0

Kamoli demands medical attention 

Moorosi Tsiane  THE murder trial of former army commander Tlali Kamoli, in connection with the 2015 murder of Lieutenant General (Lt-Gen) Maaparankoe Mahao, stalled on Tuesday after his lawyer, Advocate Letuka Molati, informed the court that Kamoli was unfit to stand trial because of an illness.  Advocate Molati claimed that Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) officers had refused to take […]

Local News, News
November 12, 2024
26 views 3 mins 0

Health ministry urges safe medicine use 

  Moroke Sekoboto  THE Ministry of Health, through its Department of Pharmaceuticals, has urged the public to use medicines safely and to report any side effects that they may feel after taking medications.  Marelebohile Mabuzela, a representative from that department, said using medicines correctly could significantly reduce the risk of side effects and serious harm.  […]

Local News, News
November 12, 2024
47 views 4 mins 0

Musicians to finally earn royalties for their music 

Seithati Motšoeneng  LOCAL musicians can finally celebrate a significant development: their music will now earn royalties from commercial use.  This was formalised through a government gazette issued on Monday, which outlines the new tariffs for those using Basotho musicians’ works registered with the Lesotho Copyright Society of Authors (LESCOSA).  The tariffs apply to a wide […]

Local News, News
November 12, 2024
25 views 6 mins 0

IMF reduces borrowing costs by 36 percent 

…Providing significant relief for developing countries  Seithati Motšoeneng  In a bold strategic move to empower low-income countries in overcoming the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has decisively announced a 36 percent reduction in borrowing costs.  This significant decrease which took effect on November 1 2024, translates […]

Local News, News
November 06, 2024
14 views 2 mins 0

WHO issues guidelines for alzheimer’s diagnostic tests 

Hopolang Mokhopi  THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has released guidelines, known as Preferred Product Characteristics (PPC), for blood-based diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).  Developed with a group of 20 leading scientists, these guidelines aim to help create affordable and effective tests suitable for global use, including in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).  The PPC […]

Local News, News
November 01, 2024
102 views 12 mins 0

M280 million fraud case!!! 

DCEO seeks arrest warrants  Amid bad faith accusations  Moorosi Tsiane  THE M280 million fraud and money laundering case involving collapsed micro-lender, Platinum Credit, has taken a new twist with the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) seeking arrest warrants against the company’s international investors while negotiating to have their two alleged local accomplices off the […]

Local News, News
November 01, 2024
79 views 9 mins 0

Govt loses millions in Ha Belo electrification project 

Mathatisi Sebusi  THE government has reportedly incurred a loss of M49 million, with potential for even more losses, after the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) allegedly engaged an underqualified contractor for the Ha Belo electrification project.  According to a confidential report by an engineer commissioned by the Ministry of Energy, the contractor lacked the necessary skills to execute […]

Local News, News
November 01, 2024
29 views 2 mins 0

DCEO investigates Home Affairs recruitments 

Mathatisi Sebusi  THE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) is investigating the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs, and Police over alleged corruption related to the recruitment of 363 temporary staff at the National Identity Documents and Civil Registration (NICR) and Livestock Registration, Marking, and Information Systems (LRMIS) projects.  The DCEO wrote to the ministry’s […]

Local News, News
October 31, 2024
66 views 3 secs 0

NOTE TO READERS 

  The Lesotho Times has noted with concern the circulation of derogatory posts online concerning His Majesty King Letsie III, Prime Minister Sam Matekane, and former Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro, among others, falsely attributed to the publication.   The Lesotho Times, as the nation’s leading newspaper, firmly distances itself from these posts, which were never published […]

Local News, News
October 31, 2024
11 views 5 mins 0

Health officials allegedly fuel backstreet abortion crisis 

Mohloai Mpesi  THE Lesotho Nursing Council (LNC) has raised alarm over a concerning rise in illegal abortions, some of which have resulted in deaths.  This comes after reports emerged last week that certain health professionals, particularly nurses, are performing backstreet abortions outside their official workplaces, with some reportedly conducting procedures at their privately owned pharmacies.  […]

Local News, News
October 31, 2024
30 views 3 mins 0

DCEO goes after Peka MP 

…seeks to charge him for fertiliser “theft”  Mohloai Mpesi  THE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) says it is going to charge Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) Member of Parliament for Peka and prominent businessman, Mohopoli Monokoane, for theft of government fertilisers meant for poor farmers.  The anti–corruption body had planned to drag Mr Monokoane to court yesterday.  However, the anticipated court appearance has […]

Local News, News
October 31, 2024
25 views 4 mins 0

Bid to strengthen intellectual property landscape 

Mohloai Mpesi  THE African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) has convened its 48th session to strengthen intellectual property (IP) systems in Southern Africa.  The region has long faced challenges due to an insufficient legal framework on IP.  The five-day session, attended by representatives from 22 African countries, began on Monday at Avani Lesotho and concludes […]

Local News, News
October 31, 2024
11 views 2 mins 0

Matekane to donate sheep to herders 

Moroke Sekoboto  FORTY-four young herders from Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek will soon receive Merino sheep to help them create sustainable livelihoods for themselves under the Poverty Reduction Programme (PReP), a project managed by the Prime Minister’s Office.  This initiative aims to empower local shepherds by providing access to this high-quality breed, enabling them to expand their herds and enhance […]

Local News, News
October 31, 2024
22 views 3 mins 0

FNB commits to improved nutrition and food security 

…donates agricultural inputs to celebrate King Letsie III’s birthday and the bank’s 20th anniversary  Moroke Sekoboto  BUILDING on its initiatives last year, First National Bank (FNB) Lesotho has once again supported local farmers by donating Pannar maize seeds and fertilisers, aiming to improve nutrition and strengthen food security across Lesotho.  The bank provided valuable assistance to 20 members of the […]

Local News, News
October 25, 2024
117 views 10 mins 0

Battle for DC leadership begins

—As business tycoon Mahlala bids to oust Mokhothu Mohloai Mpesi CHARISMATIC business mogul, Bothata Mahlala, appears set to challenge Democratic Congress (DC) leader, Mathibeli Mokhothu, for the leadership of the main opposition party. Authoritative sources said Mr Mahlala is set to respond to calls from party supporters who want to see Mr Mokhothu’s back. Mr Mokhothu was anointed by […]

Local News, News
October 25, 2024
219 views 3 mins 0

Prominent musician Khopolo’s murderers charged

Hopolang Mokhopi THE police have made a breakthrough in the murder of famous famo musician, Lisuoa “Khopolo” Khuluoe and radio personality Pulane “Lefahla” Macheli who were fatally shot on 20 July 2024. The police arrested Bokang Moise (40) of Ha Motloheloa, and his co-accused, Ntsoaki Mahao (27) of Masowe 1, on Friday. The duo was […]

Local News, News
October 25, 2024
36 views 7 mins 0

LNDC owed over M270 million in rentals

…as PAC accuses it of mismanaging gvt funds Mathatisi Sebusi THE Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) has been accused of mismanaging the government’s assets, resulting in its failure to declare dividends to the State. The LNDC is the parastatal through which the government controls most of its investments.  It stands accused of failing to collect a whopping M279 […]

Local News, News
October 25, 2024
17 views 4 mins 0

DPP’s case stalls

  Moorosi Tsiane THE highly anticipated constitutional case in which the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Hlalefang Motinyane is challenging the government’s decision to remove her from office failed to take off this week. This after DPP Motinyane challenged Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane’s decision to assign a panel of three judges to preside over her case. […]

Local News, News
October 25, 2024
112 views 20 mins 0

The M280 million Platcorp case

The ruse of “money laundering” continues At the expense of hundreds of jobs and Lesotho’s already comatose economy And a further M1 billion in investment  By Investigations Desk The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO)’s handling of the M280 million Platcorp Holdings Limited (Platcorp) alleged money laundering case is fast degenerating into a farce. […]

Local News, News
October 25, 2024
36 views 4 mins 0

Lover’s killer found guilty

Moorosi Tsiane AS the judiciary continues to grapple with domestic violence cases, High Court Judge ‘Maliepollo Makhetha has found a Sea-Point man guilty of the brutal murder of his lover, former Nedbank Service Manager, ‘Mathabo Lelimo. Limpho Lethunya was arrested in 2021 in connection with Ms Lelimo’s death. The two were living together in a […]

Local News, News
October 25, 2024
29 views 3 mins 0

Mahosi murder trial fails to kick off

Moorosi Tsiane THE highly anticipated trial concerning the 2023 murder of former Disaster Management Authority (DMA) boss, ‘Makhotso Mahosi, has failed to commence as two of the three accused did not have legal representation. Ms Mahosi was brutally murdered alongside her 11-year-old son, Kabelo, at their home in Matala Phase I, Maseru, on 29 October 2023. Her house helper, […]