…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 Letlailana, Makhalanyane fight Mohloai Mpesi THE political landscape has turned bitter for Lithoteng Member of Parliament (MP) Rethabile Letlailana and his former close ally, Thuso Makhalanyane, the MP for Abia. The two find themselves locked in a fierce political squabble stemming from an attempt to unseat Mr Letlailana as the chairman of the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on the Prime Minister’s Ministries Cluster. Eleven members of […]
—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 […]
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 […]
Seithati Motsoeneng IN celebration of Lesotho’s 200-year anniversary, the Beauty Pageant Association of Lesotho, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, crowned Lintle Masasa as the special Miss Bicentennial. The competition, held at Makoanyane Square on Tuesday night, saw nine beauty queens vying for the coveted title. But it was Ms Masasa, […]
Seithati Motsoeneng FOR the first time in history, the Lesotho government, in collaboration with the Melodious Awards and LESCOSA, will host the National Music Awards. The event will take place on Friday at the ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre, where outstanding artists will be recognised across various categories for their contributions to the music industry. The initiative aims […]
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 […]
