…as furious MPs demand hospital closure Mohloai Mpesi QUEEN ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) is buckling under a staggering M184 million debt, sparking outrage from Members of Parliament who have questioned whether the troubled referral hospital should remain open. The financial crisis came to light when QMMH and the Ministry of Health appeared before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on the Social Cluster on Thursday, seeking funding to settle outstanding liabilities. The Committee heard that, in addition to owing the National Drug Service Organisation (NDSO) M34 million, the hospital has accumulated M150 million in debts owed to various service providers. QMMH Managing Director Dr ‘Makhoase Ranyali warned MPs that the hospital’s medicine budget would only sustain operations for another two quarters. “The pharmacy has notified us that the budget for medication can only last two quarters. We have sat down as QMMH to ensure that we don’t have a shortage, but unfortunately,...

…as Maseru Urban records highest burden …92.6% of reported abuse occurs within intimate relationships Seithati Motšoeneng SPOUSAL violence remains the leading form of gender-based violence (GBV) in Lesotho, with married women identified as the group most at risk, according to new statistics released by the police Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU). The report, which covers the period from January to May 2026, recorded 215 GBV cases involving current or former intimate relationships, with spouses accounting for 92 cases, nearly half of all reported incidents. Current intimate partners accounted for 59 cases, while violence involving lovers made up 48 cases. Former partners were linked to 16 cases, the smallest category but one that highlights the continued risk of abuse even after relationships end. Overall, 199 of the 215 reported cases (92.6 percent) involved current or former intimate relationships, underscoring that GBV in Lesotho overwhelmingly occurs within close personal relationships rather...

…after employees allegedly assaulted man and left him blind in one eye Moorosi Tsiane A Chinese businessman is facing a M2 million damages claim after two of his employees allegedly launched a brutal attack on a Maseru man, leaving him permanently blind in one eye and with life-changing injuries. Chen Hai Ling, the owner of Vasco Da Gama Off Sales near Sefika Complex in Maseru, has been sued alongside his former employees, Thato Pakela and Kompi Tokonyane, over an alleged assault that occurred on 25 February 2023. The victim, Relebohile Maliba of Ha Seoli, alleges that the two men, who were employed as security guards at the liquor outlet, attacked him with sticks and swords without any lawful justification. In court papers filed in the High Court this past week, Mr Maliba cites Mr Pakela as the first respondent, Mr Tokonyane as the second respondent and Mr Ling as the...

Moroke Sekoboto THE Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) has kept its repo rate unchanged at 6.75 percent, providing relief to consumers and businesses by leaving borrowing costs unchanged despite growing global economic uncertainty. The decision was announced by the CBL’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at its 120th meeting held on Friday at the Lehakoe Cultural and Recreation Centre. The repo rate is the interest rate at which the central bank lends money to commercial banks. It influences the interest rates banks charge on loans for vehicles, mortgages, personal loans and other credit facilities. A lower repo rate generally translates into cheaper borrowing costs for consumers. CBL had previously raised the repo rate by 25 basis points from 6.5 percent to 6.75 percent on 29 May 2026. Announcing the committee’s decision on Friday, CBL Governor, Dr Maluke Letete, said the MPC had considered both global and domestic economic developments before deciding to maintain...

  …says focus should remain on ‘Nete’s recovery as he reveals private engagement with family Rethabile Pitso FORMER Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) commissioner, Tšoeu Petlane, has finally broken his silence over the horrific dog attack that left 12-year-old ‘Nete Leotlela fighting for his life, saying he has deliberately stayed away from the public spotlight to allow the boy’s recovery to remain the central focus. Mr Petlane’s comments come almost three weeks after the 6 July attack at his home, where his five German Shepherds mauled the youngster, leaving him with catastrophic facial injuries that required emergency specialist treatment in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The incident sparked widespread public outrage and an unprecedented social media campaign, with many Basotho accusing Mr Petlane of failing to publicly account for what happened or demonstrate concern for the child’s welfare. Since the attack, thousands of Basotho have rallied behind the Leotlela family through the Help...

Mohloai Mpesi QUEEN ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) has again come under fire from Parliament after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) uncovered that the hospital spent more than M8 million without the required authorisation, raising fresh concerns over its financial management. The latest revelations emerged on Thursday when QMMH officials and the Ministry of Health appeared before the PAC as part of its ongoing inquiry into the hospital’s governance and financial affairs. The hearing forms part of a wider parliamentary probe into the referral hospital, which has already exposed concerns over governance structures, irregular staff appointments and the institution’s salary framework. According to QMMH Internal Audit Manager Hlasa Hlasa’s July 2025 audit report, the hospital used more than M8 million in internally generated revenue without the approval of the Chief Accounting Officer, Managing Director Dr ‘Makhoase Ranyali. Presenting his findings to the Committee, Mr Hlasa said the money was collected through...