as they launch operation to search and seize illegal firearms  raid comes in the wake of the murder of five family members in Famo gang violence  Staff Reporter  THE Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) raided the homestead ofTerene ea Khosi Mokata leader, TSepiso “Mosotho” Radebe, in Liphakoeng on Thursday but failed to arrest him.  The soldiers ransacked the entire Liphakoeng Village allegedly beating and torturing village men while demanding that they produce illegal firearms.  They arrested an undisclosed number of village men who remain in police custody.  The army ..read more

Families to be compensated include the Tang family  Army to fork out nearly M800 000 Staff Reporter  OMBUDSMAN, Tlotliso Polaki, has ordered the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) to compensate families whose “breadwinners” were?killed by soldiers.  Amongst them, Advocate Polaki has ordered LDF boss, Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, to pay the Tang family M300 000 as compensation for the May 2014 “negligent” killing of their daughter, Lisebo Tang.  Soldiers guarding the home of then LDF commander, Tlali Kamoli, opened fire at Ms Tang and her boyfriend, Tšepo Jane, on 9 May ..read more

Mohloai Mpesi  MEMBERS of Parliament (MP) and senators have been inducted on the 11th Amendment to the Constitution Bill, 2024, ahead of its tabling in the National Assembly in the coming weeks.  The one-day induction workshop was convened on behalf of the legislative committee in the Senate and the Portfolio Committee for Law and Public Safety Cluster by the former National Reforms Authority (NRA) Technical Committees’ Chairpersons in Maseru on Thursday.    Legitimacy of the original 11th Amendment to the Constitution Bill, 2022, was challenged by local journalist Ka ..read more

…Minister Lebona promises to follow up with SA  Mathatisi Sebusi  Basotho working in South Africa are up in arms over the non-implementation of the 90-day visa waiver project which they had anticipated would be affected on 1 April 2024.  They have expressed disappointment in the government for “selling them a dream” that they would spent up to three months in South Africa from 1 April 2024 after the two countries inked a 90-day visa waiver last month.  However, they lament that three weeks into April, the 90-day waiver has not been implemented.  Basotho migrants who s ..read more

  …as local businesspeople demand their urgent implementation  Mathatisi Sebusi/ Leemisa Thuseho  INDIGENOUS Basotho businesspeople from various sectors are demanding that government urgently implements the controversial Business Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2020.  They recently convened for a crisis meeting calling on the line ministry, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development, to swiftly implement the regulations.  The sub-laws emanate from the Business Licensing and Registration Act, 2019.  During a Basotho Business Empowerment Forum, or ..read more

  Moorosi Tsiane  TWO Mafeteng men are demanding a joint M2.6 million from?army commander, Lieutenant General (Lt-Gen) Mojalefa Letsoela, after they were allegedly tortured by members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).  The duo of Elliot Molise Khotle and Thabang Mohale instituted a combined lawsuit against Lt-Gen Letsoela this past week in the High Court, claiming they were unlawfully beaten by soldiers on 2 April 2022 while drinking at Cringos Public Bar in Mafeteng.  According to Mr Khotle, a group of soldiers stormed the bar at around 2am on that day and started assau ..read more

Hopolang Mokhopi  THE government recognizes the need to engage the diaspora to contribute to Lesotho’s development through various forms of capital, skills, networks, technology and investments, Foreign Affairs and International Relations Minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, has said.  It has therefore developed several instruments and policy frameworks to court the Basotho diaspora. These include a diaspora engagement policy, remittances strategy and provision of dual citizenship as a way of facilitating diaspora participation and inclusion in economic growth.  The government is being ..read more

Letsatsi Selikoe  IN recent years, women have been making significant strides in the agricultural industry.  They are breaking down traditional gender barriers and establishing themselves as powerful forces to be reckoned with.  To fully grasp the importance of women in Lesotho’s agricultural landscape, it is crucial to understand the history of Basotho women in agriculture.  Women have played a vital role in Lesotho’s agricultural sector for decades, even though they often faced significant challenges due to societal and cultural barriers.  Historically, Lesotho’s agr ..read more

Hopolang Mokhopi  The Lehakoe Recreation Centre in Maseru was packed on Friday when 300 students graduated from Botho University.  This was the fifth edition of the Botho University graduation ceremony since the institution opened its Lesotho campus in 2017 at Maseru Mall.  The 300 graduated in the fields of engineering, commerce, occupational health and safety and hospitality, among others.  Minister of Public Works and Transport, Matjato Moteane, commended the quality of education offered by Botho University.  He congratulated the class of 2023 graduates for their d ..read more

  Letsatsi Selikoe  AGAINST the tapestry of diversity that weaves humanity together, albinism stands out with its own stunning shade of uniqueness.  More than just a genetic condition, it’s a pigment of radiance that reveals a different side of beauty. Embracing this beauty is to celebrate the unique stories and struggles, the resiliency and strength, that mark the lives of those with albinism.  And as the sun illuminates our world, so does albinism shed light on the varied hues of human experience.  In a society that too often prizes conformity and uniformity, albini ..read more