1.3K   Moorosi Tsiane  THE treason and murder trial of former army commander Tlali Kamoli, alongside politicians Mothetjoa Metsing and Selibe Mochoboroane, resumed yesterday amid threats by prosecutors to withdraw from the case due to non-payment.  Prosecutors Advocates Rethabile Setlojoane and Motena Rafoneke informed trial judge ‘Maliepollo Makhetha as early as Monday that they intended to step down from the case, citing the government’s failure to pay them.  The duo filed a formal application on Monday, scheduling it for a hearing on 27 February 2025. They also requested that the trial be postponed to today (Thursday), stating there had been new developments regarding their issues with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Hlalefang Motinyane, who had asked for time until today to address the matter.  Adv Rafoneke added that their future involvement in the case depended on the court’s decision on their application. He said continuing the trial under the...

1.8K Moorosi Tsiane  MEDICAL doctors’ consultation rooms are supposed to be safe spaces for their patients, where the sterile walls and medical charts symbolise professionalism. However, this has not been the case for the embattled Dr Hlalele Mofubelu of Naledi Family Clinic, who has allegedly been sexually harassing his patients.  Some of his victims have come forward to share their stories with the Lesotho Times.  Victim one  A 43-year-old Maseru woman, Alinah Mpholo, is among the numerous women who claim to have been sexually harassed by Dr Mofubelu.  What began as a routine medical consultation quickly spiraled into an unsettling ordeal when Dr Mofubelu allegedly moved Ms Mpholo’s underwear sideways to touch her privates.  “It was sometime in 2022 when I visited his clinic due to back pain. The consultation started with a short interview about my symptoms. After explaining my situation, he instructed me to remove my clothes and get onto the examination...

717 Moorosi Tsiane  A 41-YEAR-OLD man from Thaba-Tseka has been found guilty of murder after fatally stabbing his 3-year-old son 21 times with a knife on 13 October 2018.  Reli Letuka, of Khohlo-Ntso Bokong on the outskirts of Thaba-Tseka, first appeared before Justice Tšeliso Mokoko on Monday.  He pleaded guilty to the charge of murder, going against the advice of his lawyer, Advocate Tšebeletso Motluli, who had advised him to enter a not guilty plea.   Advocate Motluli cited his mental condition as the reason for her advice for a not guilty plea.  Justice Mokoko rejected that proposition, revoked Letuka’s bail, and postponed the case to Wednesday to allow the prosecution and defence to prepare for trial.  When the trial began on Wednesday, Crown Counsel Advocate Thapelo Mokuku called the first witness, Mapheello Malube, a neighbour of the accused.  Ms Malube testified that on the morning of 14 October 2018, she discovered...

518   Mathatisi Sebusi  THE recent suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a critical cog in development aid efforts in poor countries, is a wakeup call for African governments – including Lesotho’s – to take responsibility for the health of their citizens, analysts say.  President Donald Trump, who took office last month, had ordered the suspension of all foreign aid programmes run by USAID pending a review to assess whether they serve America’s national interests.  The suspension has sent shockwaves across the world, mostly in poor countries which depend on USAID sponsored health and development aid programmes.  USAID has for years been the premier international donor agency with an annual budget far in excess of US$50 billion.  The suspension of USAID has already put 1500 jobs in the NGO sector in Lesotho in serious jeopardy. Affected employees are at home waiting for what happens after the 90-day...

318 Hopolang Mokhopi  THREE initiation school operators have been charged with the murder of an initiate, Matela Matekane, who was allegedly tortured to death.  The accused—Tšolo Cheba (65) of Ha Montši, Sekhobe Masupha (36), and Moreboli Kamo (31) of Ha Letsie, on the outskirts of Maseru—appeared before Magistrate Thabang Tapole, who charged them with murder. They were remanded in custody at the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS).  “On or about 26 January 2025, at or near Ha Nyakane Jorotane in the Maseru district, the accused unlawfully and intentionally assaulted and burned one Matela Matekane, resulting in his death from the injuries sustained,” reads part of the charge sheet.  Magistrate Tapole informed the accused of their right to apply for bail at the High Court and to seek legal representation of their choice. He told them the state could provide them with a lawyer if they could not afford one. The trio is scheduled to...

848 Moorosi Tsiane  THE directors and officers of multi-national financial services company, Platcorp Holdings Limited, will have to wait until Friday 14 February, 2025, to know if Court of Appeal President, Kananelo Mosito, will recuse himself from a case in which they are seeking to retrieve their M280 million invested in Lesotho.  Judge Moroke Mokhesi had on 17 September 2024 ruled that Platcorp could have its money, which it had invested in micro landing company, Platinum Credit, back.  But the process was sabotaged by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences just as the money had landed into the trust account of Platcorp’s lawyers, Webber Newdigate.  The DCEO alleged the money had been “laundered”.   While that new criminal leg of the case plays out, the directors of Platinum Credit, Motena Lishea and Nthabiseng Nthako, on 24 December 2024 went to Justice Mosito to appeal Judge Mokhesi’s ruling.  Lishea and Nthako are...

796 …says courts are overwhelmed with criminal cases  …while crippled by lack of resources  Moorosi Tsiane  THE judiciary is buckling under the weight of a growing number of criminal cases, which it struggles to dispose of efficiently due to insufficient resources, Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane has said.  For example, in 2024 alone, Magistrates’ Courts across the country handled 12 726 criminal cases but could only resolve 5758 cases, representing only 45.2%. Similarly, the High Court was faced with 1031 criminal cases but managed to dispose of just 591, equivalent to 57.3%.  Justice Sakoane made these remarks during the official opening of the 2025 High Court session at the Palace of Justice in Maseru this week.  Prime Minister Sam Matekane, Deputy Prime Minister and former Chief Justice Nthomeng Majara, Speaker of the National Assembly Tlohang Sekhamane, Senate President ‘Mamonaheng Mokitimi, ministers, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Hlalefang Motinyane, heads of diplomatic...