News

  Moroke Sekoboto  INSURANCE giant, Alliance Insurance, has committed to a significant investment aimed at keeping the city of Maseru clean.  The company has pledged to purchase two debris pickup trucks for the Maseru City Council (MCC), each valued at M1.7 million, as well as repair MCC parks, restore public toilets, and install shelters for […]

Letsatsi Selikoe  THE Ministry of Gender, Youth, and Social Development, in collaboration with the European Union and UNICEF, has launched the Ntlafatsa Bana project aimed at enhancing the welfare of children.  This initiative is designed to foster innovation in addressing the multifaceted challenges children face today, with a particular focus on enhancing social development through collaborative efforts.  […]

Hopolang Mokhopi  MINISTER of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Mokhethi Shelile, this week launched an expansion project at Jiao Yang textiles factory in Maputsoe, which has created 100 new jobs, with another 150 on the way.  The expansion project is part of the ongoing Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC)’s #ReBulaLifeme (we are opening factories) campaign launched in August and will run till December this year.  Mr Shelile said plans […]

Moorosi Tsiane  A BEREA man has petitioned the High Court for an order compelling Police Commissioner, Borotho Matsoso, and army chief, Lieutenant General (Lt-Gen) Mojalefa Letsoela, to return about M1.2 million he claims was seized from him by their subordinates in Leribe, Ha Kanetsi, in July this year.  In his application filed this week, Tšeliso Motlaase of Liphiring, Ha Manko, claims he was arrested […]

Moorosi Tsiane  LANDLINE Housing and Property director, ‘Mabotle Lerotholi, has been charged for defrauding clients of about M1.4 million through the illegal sale of land at Ha-Abia, Maseru.  The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offenses (DCEO) dragged her and her co-accused before Maseru Magistrate Itumeleng Letsika yesterday.  Ms Lerotholi is charged alongside her husband, Mokutu Lerotholi, an agent […]

Moorosi Tsiane  THE non-payment of lawyers representing accused persons in high profile cases, on a pro deo basis, is hindering their progress.    High Court Judge, Charles Hungwe, who is handling some of the cases, has been forced to postpone the murder trial of former Hlotse Police Station commander, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Thabo Tšukulu, due to the non-payment of the latter’s defence lawyers.  SSP Tšukulu and three others […]

Mathatisi Sebusi  THE Land Administration Authority (LAA) has cautioned Basotho against dealing with unregistered estate agents, who often sell land that later leads to disputes.  Speaking to Lesotho Times this week, LAA Director of Corporate Services, Tankiso Sephoso, highlighted that unregistered estate agents were a growing problem in the land sector, with many lacking proper qualifications.  The LAA was […]

  MINISTER in the Prime Minister’s Office, Limpho Tau, recently blocked National Security Service (NSS) Acting Director-General (DG), Lebohang Mafisa, from forcefully redeploying 16 officers.  Minister Tau’s move was in response to the turmoil at the NSS, the national spy agency Mr Mafisa has been accused of running into the ground. Mr Mafisa had sought […]

  Moroke Sekoboto  PRIME Minister Sam Matekane has underscored the importance of youth leadership in driving economic growth and social development through the Sebabatso Initiative.  The Initiative aims to address youth unemployment by supporting business enterprises of young people.  The premier spoke during the opening of the second edition of Sebabatso Initiative conference currently underway at the ‘Manthabiseng […]

Leemisa Thuseho  LOCAL Sesotho hip-hop star, Sannere, has been roped in as the new brand ambassador for the Lesotho National Insurance Group (LNIG) Hollard.  Born Relebohile Monapathi, Sannere, was unveiled as the insurance giant’s icon at an event at the State Library in Maseru this week.  The partnership will last for two years.  Sesotho hip hop – also called Sotho-hop - is a genre of music that originates in Lesotho. […]

Letsatsi Selikoe  IN an effort to strengthen safety procedures at the Polihali Dam construction site, where a new water transfer tunnel is being built, Kopano Ke Matla (KKM) contractors, in collaboration with Vitality Health and the South African Air Mercy Service (AMS), this week conducted a large-scale emergency drill to test safety protocols.  The exercise tested the readiness of emergency response teams, including […]

 When I first read the Pension Funds Act 2019 (PFA), my impression was that it is an expensive legislation to administer. But the fact that it is expensive is not a bad thing. In fact, this maybe one of its positive aspects as I will argue in this article. Let me start from the beginning. […]

Moorosi Tsiane  THE National University of Lesotho (NUL) Head of the Department of Procedural and Adjectival Law, Itumeleng ‘Mamokhali Shale, will today be sworn in as a new judge of the High Court by His Majesty King Letsie III.  According to a memo issued by Deputy Registrar of the High Court, Advocate Pontšo Phafoli to […]

Mohloai Mpesi  CENTRAL Bank of Lesotho (CBL) has issued a stern warning to government ministries, advising them to accept payments made with South African banknotes.  This comes after reports that ministries have been rejecting payments in Rands, citing concerns over counterfeit notes or illegal money.  The CBL said such practices could have serious repercussions on Lesotho’s economy and its […]

WITH a rise in land disputes across the country, the Lesotho Times reporter Mathatisi Sebusi sat down with Land Administration Authority (LAA) Director of Corporate Services, Tankiso Sephoso, to understand the role of the LAA in land ownership and the processes involved in acquiring and purchasing land.  A recent high-profile feud involved two people holding leases to the same piece of land […]

Letsatsi Selikoe  EMPOWERING people to take ownership of their natural resources is key to creating a resilient and flourishing society, a German minister has said.  Minister of State from the German Foreign Ministry, Katja Keul, said building a sustainable future required not only innovative environmental preservation strategies but also the involvement of local communities in the […]

–as PM prepares to mark two years in office  Bongiwe Zihlangu  PRIME Minister Sam Matekane is poised to celebrate two years in office on 28 October 2024.   His has been a journey mostly marred by challenges, although of late his government seems to have found its rhythm.  While Mr Matekane and his cabinet appeared to […]

  A friend called me to discuss my recent column condemning the so-called Business Licensing Regulations, which seek to “empower” and “enrich” Basotho by banning foreigners from competing against them across 47 business sectors.  The column was published under the headline “Those the Gods want to destroy……….”  The friend made a point that made me want to […]

— But DCEO’s handling of case raises eyebrows   Investigations Desk  Motena Lishea, the woman at the centre of a humungous M280 million fraud, which has sullied Lesotho as a safe investment destination, and which has cost hundreds of jobs, has been arrested.  Lishea was arrested and taken to court by the Directorate on Corruption and […]

Mohloai Mpesi  THE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) has launched an investigation into alleged corruption and misuse of power by the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Molupe Pheko.  Mr Pheko is accused of a range of misconduct since taking office last November. Among the allegations, he is said to […]

Moorosi Tsiane  THE Lesotho Post Bank (LPB) Chief Sales Officer, ‘Mathabo Tšehlo, and former Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sport and Recreation Principal Secretary (PS), Tjoetsane Seoka, appeared before Magistrate Thamae Thamae yesterday, charged with fraud.  According to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), Ms Tšehlo, in collaboration with Mr Seoka, allegedly made […]

…as student is suspected of murdering lover before killing himself  Moorosi Tsiane  IT is one thing to see tragic events depicted on television and in movies.  But when such tragedies occur in one’s neighborhood and become real life experiences, they can destroy their soul.  So it is with Karabo Phoka, a fourth-year Bachelor of Statistics and Demography student at the National University of […]

Mathatisi Sebusi  THE Media Institute of Southern Africa – Lesotho Chapter (MISA-Lesotho) has called on the government and Parliament to expedite the enactment of the Access to Information Bill 2021, which was initiated by the now-dissolved National Reforms Authority (NRA).  MISA-Lesotho has also recommended that the Computer Crime and Cybersecurity Bill 2024 not be passed in its […]

…pleads for culpable homicide conviction  Moorosi Tsiane  IN a sudden twist of events, murder accused Qamo Matela has admitted to assaulting his wife, ‘Mahlompho Matela (née Rethabile Mofolo), a few days before her death on 10 September 2021 at Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.  Matela, who had all the time maintained his wife had died of natural causes, […]

Staff Reporter  TELECOMMUNCATIONS powerhouse, Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL), has once again demonstrated its commitment to transforming communication across Lesotho with the introduction of Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) services.   VoLTE is a cutting-edge technology that enables high-definition voice calls over the 4G LTE network, providing clearer and faster connections.   The service enhances voice call quality, […]

  Mohloai Mpesi  THE Petroleum Fund and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) have joined forces to combat criminal activities that continue to intensify within the fuel industry.  According to Petroleum Fund Head of Operations, Lebohang Makhoali, the Fund faces significant challenges, including the illegal importation of fuel from neighbouring countries.  He complained about companies involved in […]

…as the Duke of Sussex visits Lesotho  Moroke Sekoboto  PRIME Minister Sam Matekane has commended Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, for his long-standing dedication to Lesotho, particularly through his work with the charity Sentebale.  In a social media statement, Mr Matekane expressed gratitude for Prince Harry’s significant contributions to Lesotho through the Sentebale charity, highlighting the positive impact […]

Seithati Motšoeneng  THE Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) commemorated World Tourism Day with Sani Top herd boys as a way of acknowledging the crucial role they play in the tourism value chain.  The tourism day,  celebrated annually on the 27th of September, was this year held under the theme “Tourism and Peace”.  It saw the LTDC distribute blankets and gumboots, […]

  Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s meeting this week with billionaire, Elon Musk, has thrown Basotho into a frenzy, in anticipation of Starlink’s launch in Lesotho. The launch expected by the end of this year, will shake up Lesotho’s telecommunication sector to the benefit of consumers who will likely see prices of data significantly going down. […]