…as it continues operating as service provider despite expired contract Mohloai Mpesi A locally registered company owned by Chinese, Atlantic Hi-Tech, is alleged to have defrauded the government more than M11.7 million through the collection of inflated resident permit fees, while continuing to operate despite an expired contract. The allegations surfaced this week during a sitting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), where Auditor-General ’Mathabo Makenete and her team appeared to explain findings contained in the government audit reports for the financial years ending 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2024. Ms Makenete was accompanied by Deputy Auditor-General, Paul Letlela, and other officials from the Office of the Auditor-General. In both reports, the Auditor-General issued adverse audit opinions, stating that the government’s consolidated financial statements did not fairly present its financial position. The reports highlighted unreconciled balances amounting to M3.49 billion for the 2022/23 financial year and M3.09 billion for...

…as grieving family seeks justice …and struggles to bury her, care for her infant Hopolang Mokhopi A grieving family from Khokhotsaneng in Roma is demanding answers and seeking justice following the death of their 24-year-old daughter, whom they believe was discharged too soon from hospital despite her visibly deteriorating condition. At the centre of their anguish is not only the loss of a young mother but the painful reality that they now lack the means to bury her. The late Pulane Masokela, who passed away on 27 May, leaves behind a baby boy who is now less than a month old. Her family alleges that after undergoing a caesarean section at Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH), Pulane was discharged while still seriously ill and unable to care for herself. Now, instead of celebrating the arrival of a new child into the family, her mother is left mourning her daughter and...

…as he vows to take the company back to its glory days …while suspended CEO, secretary challenge removals in court Mohloai Mpesi THE battle for control of Naledi Funeral Planners has intensified after the company’s majority shareholders secured access to company bank accounts and moved to consolidate operational authority, while suspended executives have rushed to court seeking to overturn the developments. The shareholder bloc, which reportedly controls more than 70 percent of the company and now constitutes the Board of Directors, has effectively assumed day-to-day control of the funeral services giant. The four shareholders are; Thabiso Madiba with (45.152%), Sidwel Jackson (12.523%), Khojane Madiba (1.248%) and Mohau Linake 13.876%. The board has since appointed another shareholder, Tšolo Seutloali, as interim Managing Director. The latest developments follow last week’s dramatic suspension of Chief Executive Officer, Mosuoe Mabote, and Company Secretary and Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs, Advocate Peter Matekane. However,...

…from symbol of pride to instrument of violence Kabelo Masoabi FOR generations, the molamu (lebetlela stick) has occupied a revered place in Basotho culture. Far more than a simple walking stick, it has symbolised identity, heritage, dignity, and the enduring traditions of the Basotho people. Whether carried by shepherds traversing the mountain highlands or paired with the iconic Basotho blanket and mokorotlo hat during cultural ceremonies, the molamu has traditionally represented pride, authority and belonging. In recent years, the traditional stick has also gained prominence in contemporary fashion. Skilled artisans have transformed the molamu into an elegant accessory through intricate carvings, engraved patterns and decorative metal embellishments. Today, it is commonly worn alongside both traditional and modern Basotho-inspired attire, serving as a stylish bridge between the country’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary expression. Fashion designer Lindiwe Motaung said the molamu has evolved into an important cultural fashion statement. Similarly, Makalo...

  …says he cannot recall who commanded army when Mahao was killed Moorosi Tsiane A soldier accused in the murder trial of former army commander, Lieutenant-General Maaparankoe Mahao, left the court stunned this week after claiming he could not remember who was commanding the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) when Mahao was killed. Sergeant (Sgt) Lekhooa Moepi made the remarks during cross-examination by prosecutor, Advocate Rethabile Setlojoane, who questioned him on the chain of command and the legality of orders issued during the operation that led to Lt-Gen Mahao’s death. The questioning focused on events leading up to June 2015, when soldiers had been tasked with arresting officers and members alleged to have plotted mutiny against then army commander, Tlali Kamoli. Adv Setlojoane referred to Moepi’s earlier testimony and asked whether it was correct that in mid-May 2015 there had been orders to arrest soldiers and officers suspected of mutiny. Moepi...

  Kabelo Masoabi  A Chinese businessman convicted of human trafficking and sentenced to an effective five-year prison term has approached the High Court in Leribe seeking to overturn both his conviction and sentence.  Ron Jian Liao, a Chinese national originally from Fujian Province who resides in Mokhotlong, was convicted by the Mokhotlong Magistrate’s Court on 15 December 2025 after being found guilty of trafficking a young Sri Lankan woman into Lesotho and subjecting her to exploitative labour conditions.  The court sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment, with five years suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during the suspension period. He is currently serving the remaining five-year custodial sentence while pursuing his appeal.  Court records show that Liao first appeared before the Mokhotlong Magistrate’s Court on 7 September 2023. He was granted bail of M10 000 and ordered to provide a surety of M300 000. However, he failed to meet the bail conditions and remained in custody throughout the trial.  According to investigators, the...

…blames power failures, overbilling and faulty electrical approval for collapse of investment Moorosi Tsiane THE now-defunct medical cannabis company, Leavea (Pty) Ltd, has revived its bid to force the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) to pay it about M6 billion in damages, alleging the utility’s negligence destroyed its multi-million maloti investment at Thaba-Bosiu. Leavea has filed a fresh application in the Commercial Court after an earlier bid lodged in the High Court in September last year failed to progress. In court papers filed last week, Leavea director, Craven Anwar, alleges that LEC’s failure to properly inspect, approve and regulate the electrical installation at the company’s cannabis cultivation facility resulted in years of power outages, overbilling, equipment damage, crop losses and ultimately the collapse of the business. Mr Anwar said Leavea was established by foreign investors seeking opportunities in Lesotho’s medical cannabis sector. According to court papers, the company developed a 2,000-square-metre indoor cultivation facility...

  Mohloai Mpesi  FIRED Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) Commissioner-General, Advocate ‘Mathabo Mokoko, has lost her contempt of court case against the RSL Board of Directors after the Labour Appeal Court overturned an earlier ruling in her favour.  The appeal was heard by Justice Fumane Khabo following a challenge by the RSL Board against a committal order granted by the President of the Labour Court Teboho Thoso.  Justice Khabo upheld the appeal and set aside the contempt finding.  The judgment, delivered on 11 June 2026 following a hearing held on 17 April 2026, stems from Adv Mokoko’s dismissal from the top RSL post last year.  Adv Mokoko had approached the Labour Court through her lawyer, Advocate Motiea Teele KC, arguing that her dismissal was unlawful because it was carried out despite an interim interdict restraining the board from terminating her employment without following due process.  Mr Thoso had previously found the entire RSL Board in contempt of court after concluding that it had ignored an interim order barring Adv Mokoko’s dismissal without a disciplinary hearing. ...

Hopolang Mokhopi A Ministry of Forestry employee has appeared before the Mafeteng Magistrate’s Court accused of pocketing M73 000 by allegedly renting out government-owned houses for personal gain. Mosiuoa Ntabe appeared before Magistrate Nkoebe Ramabele this past week where he was formally charged with fraud. According to the charge sheet, Ntabe is accused of abusing his position as a public officer between May 2021 and October 2025 by unlawfully leasing out the government houses located at Ha Qaba in Mafeteng. The DCEO alleges that Ntabe intentionally violated provisions of the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences (PCEO) Act to secure an undue advantage for himself. The charge sheet states that Ntabe, while employed by the Ministry of Forestry, allegedly leased out ministry-owned houses without authorisation and personally benefited to the tune of M73 000. “…In that upon or about May 2021 to October 2025 and at or near Ha Qaba...

…over AGM election snub  …claims move is aimed at extending current leadership’s tenure  Moorosi Tsiane  THE Law Society of Lesotho (LSL) is facing a legal challenge after one of its members accused it of attempting to sidestep democratic processes by excluding elections from the agenda of its upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).  Advocate (Adv) Leshoboro Makhalanyane has approached the High Court seeking an urgent order to halt the LSL’s AGM, scheduled for 26 June 2026, arguing that the current council is abusing its powers by omitting elections from the agenda.  Adv Makhalanyane alleges that the move is unprecedented and intended to unlawfully prolong the tenure of the current leadership under LSL president, Adv Lintle Tuke.  According to court papers, the Law Society has consistently held council elections during its AGMs since the current leadership assumed office in 2023.  Adv Makhalanyane states that during the June 2023 AGM held at Selibeng Conference Centre in Maseru, lawyers interested in contesting leadership positions were invited...