…as Maseru magistrate sentences woman to three years in jail Hopolang Mokhopi MASERU Magistrate Puseletso McPherson has ruled that vulnerability is not an invitation to commit crime. She made the remarks while sentencing ‘Mamaboka Likalolo, 40, of Ha Mofoka, to six years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, with three years suspended for two years on condition that she is not convicted of a similar offence during the suspension period. Likalolo, who was convicted and sentenced this past week, will therefore serve three years in prison. This follows her plea of guilty to fraud, after she falsely claimed that a registered dependent of a village burial scheme had died in order to obtain funeral benefits. According to the charge sheet, on 30 June 2026, at Ha Mofoka in Maseru, Likalolo, who was a member of a village burial scheme, falsely represented to members that her dependent, Mannyali Ranyali, had...

…returns to law as practising Advocate Hopolang Mokhopi FORMER Maseru Senior Resident Magistrate, Peter Murenzi, has returned to the legal profession, months after being forced into retirement from the Judiciary. Now practising as an Advocate, Adv Murenzi made his return to the courtroom last week when he appeared before the Maseru Magistrates Court representing Basotho National Party (BNP) leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe. Mr Mofomobe was appearing in connection with a M5 billion drug manufacturing and possession case involving three Chinese nationals and another Mosotho man. Adv Murenzi successfully applied for Mr Mofomobe to be granted bail on similar conditions to those imposed on the four accused who had been charged earlier in June. Mr Mofomobe was released on M5000 bail and M50 000 surety. In an interview with the Lesotho Times this week, Adv Murenzi confirmed that he had opted to return to private practice. He said he was first admitted as an Advocate in 2000 but he had opted to...

…as ousted LCA chief licensing officer accuses government of political interference Moorosi Tsiane FORMER Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) Chief Licensing Officer, Advocate (Adv) Thato Ponya, has accused the government of using political influence to determine who occupies senior positions at the communications regulator, alleging that political interference cost him his job. The allegations come against the backdrop of questions over Adv Ponya’s own appointment to the LCA in 2021, when he was a vocal member of the All Basotho Convention (ABC), which led the government at the time. He was fresh from the National University of Lesotho when he landed the cushy job. Adv Ponya, however, strongly rejected suggestions that his appointment had been politically motivated, insisting that he was appointed on merit after going through an interview process. Five years later, he is challenging the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Authority, alleging that political forces intervened to prevent him from...

  …as party members demand withdrawal of circular Mohloai Mpesi THE Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) leader, Sam Matekane, is facing a challenge from within the party over a circular directing members to seek headquarters’ approval before holding gatherings outside their constituencies. Two RFP members, Tabaphe Takane and Sam Letuka, have demanded that Mr Matekane retract the circular dated 11 August 2026, warning that they will approach the courts if he fails to do so within five days. The circular requires members wishing to hold chillas, meetings, gatherings or convoys outside their constituencies to apply to the party headquarters, where the requests would be reviewed. Through their legal representative, Thoahlane Legel Chambers, Messrs Takane and Letuka wrote to RFP Secretary General Nthati Moorosi on 18 August, demanding the retraction of the circular. The letter, titled “Demand for Retraction of a Circular”, argues that the circular violates Sections 8(a) and 9(b) of...

Moroke Sekoboto LESOTHO has received nearly 14 000 additional doses of lenacapavir injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) from the United States government, expanding the country’s stock of the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection. The consignment arrived yesterday, according to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Maseru. The latest delivery is the second batch supplied to Lesotho and comes after the national rollout of lenacapavir in March. The US Embassy said the drug had since reached health facilities across the country and was being embraced as an important HIV prevention tool. “Today’s lenacapavir delivery advances the (Donald) Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy’s goal of ending mother-to-child HIV transmission and also makes HIV prevention more accessible for high-risk individuals, including adolescent girls and young women who face unique barriers to care,” the statement said. The Embassy said the additional doses would increase access to the prevention injection among people at...

  …leaving families stranded, bank accounts frozen ….and the sick unable to access specialised treatment Mohloai Mpesi FRUSTRATION, fear and despair are mounting among the country’s refugee community as a government-imposed freeze on issuance of their identity cards and travel documents enters its second year, leaving hundreds of refugees effectively trapped in the country and unable to access essential services. The refugees remain in limbo — unable to travel, unable to access money, education, healthcare or professional opportunities. What began as an investigation into alleged corruption in the issuance of refugee certificates has evolved into a prolonged administrative crisis that refugees say is punishing innocent people for alleged wrongdoing they did not commit. Refugees say the suspension has left them unable to access healthcare, banking services and professional licences, while children have missed opportunities to study outside Lesotho and critically ill patients have struggled to obtain referrals to South Africa....

  …as LTA confirms switch as taekwondo star is formally released Leemisa Thuseho THE Lesotho Taekwondo Association (LTA) has confirmed that taekwondo star, Michelle Tau, is no longer a Lesotho athlete after formally requesting to represent South Africa and subsequently being released by the association. The development puts to rest speculation over Tau’s sporting allegiance after she recently posted a picture on Facebook showing what appeared to be a South African passport. Tau did not indicate on the post whether the passport belonged to her. While the LTA could not confirm whether Tau had acquired South African citizenship, it confirmed that she has been released to compete under the South African flag. LTA interim committee secretary-general, Mabote Archie, said Tau formally requested her release last year. “Michelle asked in writing to be removed from the Lesotho taekwondo database as she wanted to represent South Africa,” Archie told the Lesotho Times this week. “We still...

Mohloai Mpesi THE opposition’s quest to have its grievances, over the government’s alleged failure to respect the rule of law, tabled before the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit has failed, with the issue omitted from the agenda of the regional bloc’s latest meeting. The 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government was held from Monday in Durban, South Africa, under the chairmanship of South African President, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa. According to the SADC communique released on Tuesday, the opposition’s concerns over alleged government non-compliance with court orders did not feature among the matters considered by the summit. However, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Mathibeli Mokhothu has downplayed the omission, saying the opposition remains hopeful that SADC will eventually attend to its grievances. The opposition had written to SADC accusing the government of systematically disregarding binding court orders and undermining the rule of law while simultaneously pursuing the national constitutional reforms process. Mr...

Turning job seekers into job creators Moeketsi Motšosi For many years, the formula for success in Lesotho seemed straightforward: get an education, find employment, build a career, and support a family. Today, however, the realities of our economy tell a different story. While education remains an important foundation for success, the availability of formal employment has not kept pace with the growing aspirations of our young people. As a result, entrepreneurship is no longer simply an alternative path. It has become an essential pillar of Lesotho’s economic future. At a time when economic uncertainty, rising living costs, and limited employment opportunities continue to affect families across the country, the need for a new generation of business owners has never been greater. The future prosperity of Lesotho will depend not only on creating jobs, but also on empowering young Basotho to create them. A Changing Economic Reality The modern economy demands...

…as Boiketlo Ba Basali organises thanksgiving Mass for his survival …while 12-year-old remains traumatised Rethabile Pitso THE Boiketlo Ba Basali Foundation, also known as “A Woman’s Kept Promise”, has vowed to continue supporting ‘Nete Leotlela throughout his recovery after he narrowly survived a vicious dog attack on 6 July. ‘Nete, 12, who was mauled by five German Shepherds at a residence of former Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Commissioner, Tšoeu Petlane, in Ha Matala, sustaining extensive injuries that included the loss of both ears, returned to Lesotho on Sunday after being temporarily discharged from MediClinic in Bloemfontein, South Africa, where he had been receiving treatment since 7 July. He received a hero’s welcome at the Maseru Bridge, with Boiketlo Ba Basali arranging transport for him and his family from Bloemfontein to Ha Abia, where a thanksgiving Mass was held in his honour before he was taken home. The temporary release was...