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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.  […]

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 […]

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 […]

 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 […]

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 […]

  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.  […]

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 […]

…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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]