Rethabile Pitso
OUTSPOKEN Basotho Covenant Movement (BCM) leader, Dr Tšepo Lipholo, has accused Prime Minister Sam Matekane of orchestrating his arrest in July 2025 to deflect attention from the government’s failure to deliver promised jobs to the youth.
Speaking at a thanksgiving event at his Qoaling home this week, after his release on bail on 12 December 2025 following nearly six months in prison, Dr Lipholo said his arrest came amid mounting public pressure over the government’s unfulfilled promise to create 66,000 jobs.
“When I was arrested in July, Matekane had just returned from the Convention Centre, where he promised 66,000 jobs to the youth. When the public began demanding answers, he needed a distraction. That’s why he called for my arrest,” Dr Lipholo told a cheering crowd of BCM supporters, including those from South Africa’s Limpopo and Gauteng provinces.
Dr Lipholo, who faced multiple charges including treason, sedition, human trafficking, and insulting the Royal Family, said Mr Matekane’s strategy to divert attention to him backfired, sparking a series of events that endangered Basotho living in South Africa.
He claimed allegations by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) that he had been conducting militia training in South Africa had led to harassment of Basotho by the Operation Dudula group, which has been blocking non-South Africans from accessing government services in that country.
“Even officials from Lesotho Correctional Services, who were supposed to rehabilitate me, joined in the mockery. It endangered Basotho in South Africa, all because of Matekane’s desperate distraction,” he said.
Dr Lipholo also criticized the government’s recent spending on public infrastructure, arguing that projects like the Main Circle and Makoanyane Square renovations are used to paint a false picture of success while many citizens go hungry.
“When I returned from prison, I learned that over M1 million was spent on the Main Circle alone. It seems Matekane wants Lesotho to be Dubai, but with hunger still on our streets,” he said, drawing laughter from supporters.
Turning to the issue of land, Dr Lipholo vowed to continue his campaign to “reclaim Basutoland” spanning parts of the Orange Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Cape Province. He cited what he described as historical evidence that residents in some of these areas still paid taxes to Lesotho and criticized chiefs who opposed his efforts.
“Lesotho’s land has been recognized since 1854, but due to interference by Boers and certain chiefs, the land was never fully restored. This is a matter of justice, not conquest,” he said.
Dr Lipholo claimed that when land restoration plans are implemented, strict procedures are followed under the supervision of a UN special committee to ensure a smooth transition.
He claimed UN also provides financial support to ensure residents on both sides maintain comparable standards of living.
“For instance, a South African pensioner may earn around M2,000, while a Lesotho pensioner earns roughly M800. After the transition, incomes for both could rise to at least M2,500, ensuring that livelihoods are elevated and integrated seamlessly,” he claimed.
Contacted for comment, Prime Minister’s Press Attaché, Thapelo Mabote, dismissed Dr Lipholo’s claims as baseless.
“The Prime Minister has never issued any instructions to the LMPS to arrest Dr Lipholo, nor has he interfered with security institutions in the execution of their mandate. These institutions are independent and operate without directives from the Prime Minister.
“Furthermore, during the joint sitting of the Lesotho and South African forces, the Prime Minister was not part of those discussions. Dr Lipholo’s allegations are therefore unfounded in this regard as well.
“Regarding the Main Circle, Dr Lipholo should provide proof of where the funds he claims were misused originated from, and further substantiate the basis of these allegations.”
