386   Hopolang Mokhopi  THE Lesotho Housing and Land Development Corporation (LHLDC) is facing a M15 million lawsuit for allegedly terminating its contract with Rendeals Four Consulting Pty Ltd “prematurely”.  LHLDC is a state-owned enterprise providing rental accommodation, houses for sale, and serviced land for commercial and residential purposes. It had entered into a M140,673,327.75 contract with Rendeals Four Consulting Pty Ltd in 2012.  The agreement was for the refurbishment of the Phomolong Residential apartments in Maseru. However, in 2015, LHLDC terminated the contract before Rendeals could complete the refurbishment works.  Rendeals, through its legal representatives, P.V. Tsenoli Chambers, served LHLDC with a letter on 10 October 2023, demanding the M15,052,046.07 payment, arguing that it had already incurred substantial costs before the contract’s termination. LHLDC ignored the letter, prompting P.V. Tsenoli Chambers to issue another letter on 2 February 2024, notifying LHLDC of its intention to seek arbitration through the courts. ...

198 …as they lose the first leg of their bid to stop DPP from prosecuting them  Moorosi Tsiane  FORMER Leribe Criminal Investigation Division (CID) boss, Superintendent (Supt) ‘Mabohlokoa Makotoko, and her seven colleagues have suffered a major setback in their attempt to block Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Hlalefang Motinyane from charging them with the murder of three suspects who died in police custody in 2019.  This after Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane struck their constitutional application off the urgent roll this week and refused to grant any interim relief.  The police officers petitioned the court to halt DPP Motinyane’s directive to remand them for murder until their legal challenge is finalised. They argue that the DPP cannot proceed with charges before an inquest into the deaths is completed.  According to the officers, the inquest was never concluded after former Police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli allegedly ordered the removal of the case file from the Leribe Magistrate’s Court in 2021. They are now demanding the...

167   ….as committee demands evidence of withdrawal of court case  Mohloai Mpesi  THE Portfolio Committee on Natural Resources has directed the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to provide evidence that a court case it filed against the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been withdrawn.  The committee wants to see that evidence first before it proceeds with debating the ministry’s M3.2 billion budget allocation.  Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, allocated M3.2 billion to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport in the 2025/26 budget, amid serious allegations of corruption at the ministry.  The ministry is embroiled in various corruption allegations, including the controversial awarding of the Moshoeshoe I International Airport refurbishment contract to LSP Construction. The cost of the project inexplicably ballooned from an initial M50 million to M184 million. Minister of Public Works and Transport, Moteane Matjato, who was present at Monday’s session, is reportedly conflicted in the refurbishment...

Moroke Sekoboto THE Bangladeshi Association of Lesotho (BAoL) marked its first anniversary with a vibrant and culturally rich celebration, reflecting on its achievements while setting ambitious goals for the future. The event, held in Maseru West on Thursday, brought together association members, distinguished guests, and dignitaries in an evening of camaraderie, cultural exchange, and appreciation. Established on 18 February 2024 and officially launched during a grand festival at Maseru Club on 10 March 2024, the BAoL has made remarkable strides in fostering stronger ties between the Bangladeshi and Basotho communities. BAoL’s secretary general, Ifthekharul Islam, reflected on the association’s journey over the past year, acknowledging the support received from both the Bangladeshi and Basotho communities. “We have come a long way since our formation. This first anniversary is not just a celebration of our existence but a reaffirmation of our commitment to strengthening relations between our two nations and uplifting...

2.2K Seithati Mots’oeneng KING Letsie III has warned that malnutrition exacts a steep social and economic toll across the globe, with African countries bearing the brunt of this devastating issue. The King has also expressed grave concern over the staggering economic impact of malnutrition in Africa, noting that it causes African economies to lose between 1.9-16 percent of their annual GDP due to undernutrition. This crippling loss not only hampers economic growth, but also has lasting, detrimental implications for the health and development of children across the continent. The King spoke at the recently ended 48th governing council meeting of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)  in Rome, Italy. The event brought together global leaders and stakeholders from various sectors to deliberate on sustainable agricultural practices and their essential role in combating the adverse effects of climate change. Underscoring the alarming state of malnutrition plaguing the continent, the King highlighted that...