News

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 […]

  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 […]

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.  […]

…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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

…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 […]

—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 […]

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 […]

…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 […]

  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. […]

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. […]

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 […]

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, […]

Letsatsi Selikoe THE government has praised India as a crucial partner, significantly contributing to Lesotho’s economic progress and development. The Minister of Tourism, Sports, Arts, and Culture, Motlatsi Maqelepo, said this during the annual India Day cultural and food festival held over the weekend at the ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre. This year’s festival was particularly significant, […]

Mathatisi Sebusi  LESOTHO is being challenged to transform its HIV response for sustainability by 2030 and beyond, as declining funding and competing priorities threaten progress.  This was said by the UNAIDS Country Director, Pepukai Chikukwa, this week at a dialogue hosted by the Ministry of Health and the National AIDS Commission, which aimed to develop a sustainable […]

Hopolang Mokhopi  THE Standard Lesotho Bank has donated 300 chicken layers and 100 bags of chicken food supplements worth M66 740 to St Cecilia Children’s Home, reinforcing its commitment to giving back to society and supporting sustainable development.  St Cecilia Children’s Home, located in Ha Buasono, Berea, cares for 50 orphaned children and is supported by […]

Moroke Sekoboto  MINISTER of Local Government and Chieftainship, Lebona Lephema, has reaffirmed Lesotho’s commitment to the eradication of statelessness, as outlined in the 1954 United Nations Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.  A stateless person is someone who, under national laws, does not enjoy citizenship in any country.  Mr […]

  Moroke Sekoboto  TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant, Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL) is showcasing its latest innovations in digital technologies at the second edition of the Econet Digital Expo. The four-day event, at Maseru Mall, began on Tuesday and concludes tomorrow.  The expo underscores Econet’s evolution into a leader in digital services, highlighting how its cutting-edge solutions are transforming […]

—as a key gadget  for his protection goes missing at NSS Investigations Desk  PRIME Minister Sam Matekane’s security apparatus has been plunged into severe jeopardy. This after the National Security Service (NSS)’s signal jammer went missing from that troubled national spy agency. Also missing is a high calibre AK 47 rifle. Authoritative sources tell the Lesotho Times if […]

  Mohloai Mpesi THE Prime Minister’s Ministries Cluster parliamentary portfolio committee has demanded the removal of Rethabile Letlailana as its chairperson. The main contention is that Mr Letlailana has defected from the ruling Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) to the Democratic Congress (DC). He had won the Lithoteng constituency under the RFP banner in 2022. But Mr Letlailana […]

Moorosi Tsiane SOUTH African company, Laxton Group, has petitioned the High Court’s Commercial Division, seeking to halt the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) from awarding the tender for the supply of an Electoral Management Information System (EMIS) to foster the effective running of national elections. The IEC had issued an open tender in May 2024 for the supply, installation, […]

…Seeks return of firearms from LMPS Mohloai Mpesi BASOTHO National Party (BNP) leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe, has demanded M5 million in damages from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) over what he alleges was his unlawful arrest and detention. Mr Mofomobe was arrested by seven heavily armed DCEO officers at his home in Lesia, Thetsane last Thursday. The officers presented him […]

Moorosi Tsiane  BUSINESS mogul, Tšeliso Nthane, will learn his fate on 1 November 2024, following an appeal by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Hlalefang Motinyane against his acquittal in a murder case.  The appeal challenges Justice Palesa Rantara’s 2022 decision to acquit Mr Nthane of the 2019 murder of his truck driver, Kopang Mohapi.    Mr Mohapi, […]

Mohloai Mpesi  NTHOATENG Lebona, the finance principal secretary and chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Public Officers’ Defined Contribution Pension Fund (PODCPF), has once again attracted the wrath of parliament.  The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this week slated her over her failure to comply with the edicts and protocols of the PODCPF’s regulator - the Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL)  The committee heard that […]

  Moorosi Tsiane  DEMOCRATIC Congress (DC) legislator, Thabiso Lekitla, intends to petition the Court of Appeal to overturn Justice Mabatšoeneng Hlaele’s refusal to recuse herself from his murder trial.  The decision follows the judge’s dismissal of a recusal application filed by Lekitla’s lawyers, Advocates Motiea Teele KC and Lepeli Molapo, last month.  Advocate Teele KC had […]

… as its officers appear before committee unprepared  Moroke Sekoboto  THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has chastised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations for neglecting Lesotho’s properties abroad.  Ministry officials failed to provide PAC with updates on the progress of refurbishing several properties in South Africa, including Indent House in Pretoria, which the Tshwane Metro declared uninhabitable […]

…amidst harsh criticism of her from MISA  Mathatisi Sebusi  MINISTER of Information, Communications, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Nthati Moorosi, has refuted claims by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho Chapter that the government is prioritising the Computer Crime and Cyber Security Bill to safeguard its interests of snooping on citizens’ private communications at the expense of the Access to Information Bill of 2021 which […]