…as new disclosure regime set to reshape criminal trials Moroke Sekoboto THE Law Society of Lesotho and the Judiciary have joined forces to capacitate legal practitioners on the new Criminal Litigation Rules 2026, which introduce significant changes to the conduct of criminal trials, including mandatory pre-trial defence disclosures The new rules require accused persons to disclose their intended defence before trial and empower courts to draw adverse inferences where they fail to comply with those obligations. The changes mark a significant departure from the traditional position in Lesotho, where an accused could remain silent until trial, leaving the prosecution to prove every element of the charge and only revealing the defence after close of prosecution’s case. High Court Justices Charles Hungwe, Dr Itumeleng Shale and Justice Molefi Makara, presented on different aspects of the new rules during a workshop held at the Lehakoe Recreational and Cultural Centre on Friday. Justice Hungwe...

…apologises to Basotho Moroke Sekoboto THE family of slain soldier, Colonel Tefo Hashatsi, has broken its silence over the insults and hurtful comments directed at him and his family, nine years after his death. The Hashatsi family has also apologised to Basotho in general and to individuals who say they were hurt by Col Hashatsi during his time in the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF). Col Hashatsi was a prominent and controversial LDF officer who was killed in a high-profile military shootout at Ratjomose Barracks in Maseru on 5 September 2017. He was killed alongside Brigadier Bulane Sechele and LDF Commander Lieutenant General Khoantle Motšomotšo during an exchange of gunfire. The incident occurred after Col Hashatsi and Brig Sechele allegedly forced their way into Lt-Gen Motšomotšo’s office. An altercation reportedly followed, during which Lt-Gen Motšomotšo was shot dead. Col Hashatsi and Brig Sechele were subsequently shot by other army personnel. Col...

Share0 Rescuers in the Philippines recovered more remains from a passenger ferry gutted by fire, raising the death toll to 76 on Saturday, 12 September. Thirteen people were still missing and 43 survived, according to the Associated Press. The MV June Aster caught fire on Wednesday night while travelling from Manila towards Coron in Palawan province. The cause has not been established. A coast guard spokesperson said investigators would examine the fire and whether the crew followed emergency procedures. Sky News also reported the revised death toll. Search and identification work is continuing. Post Views: 291 Share0 Source link

…as he agrees to pay back M6 million Mohloai Mpesi DEMOCRATIC Congress (DC) Member of Parliament for Mechachane, Jane Lekunya, has agreed to become a prosecution witness in the M109 million tender scandal involving the procurement of agricultural inputs. This follows his agreement to repay M6 million to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), representing money he allegedly benefited from in the fraudulent awarding of the tenders. Mr Lekunya was initially charged alongside businessman Moeketsi “Tsunami” Ntaote, former Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Principal Secretary Mapaseka Nkone, and Ntaote’s companies, Glorified Group of Companies (Pty) Ltd and Movement (Pty) Ltd. The DCEO yesterday issued a statement confirming that Mr Lekunya had agreed to refund the M6 million and cooperate with the prosecution in the case. “The DCEO wishes to inform the public that on 7 September 2026, Jane Lekunya appeared before the High Court in connection...

Share0 Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo opened an Ebola treatment centre in Kisangani on Thursday, 10 September, as they expand their response to the ongoing outbreak, Africanews reported. The centre, supported by Médecins Sans Frontières, has 22 beds and can expand its operational capacity to 50. MSF emergency coordinator Kate Nolan said treatment and isolation space would help staff care for patients and reduce transmission in the community. In its 10 September update, the World Health Organization said the outbreak was continuing to spread in parts of the country. Early detection and access to care remain major challenges. Post Views: 226 Share0 Source link

…as Court of Appeal grants Adv Chalatse leave to review 2022 judgment Hopolang Mokhopi THE Court of Appeal has granted Senior Judicial Commissioner, Advocate Rabuka Chalatse, leave to review its 2022 judgment that rejected his bid to have his remuneration upgraded from Grade J to Grade K. The ruling, delivered on 7 September 2026 by President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Kananelo Mosito, clears the way for Adv Chalatse to challenge the Court of Appeal’s judgment in Minister of Public Service and Others v Rabuka Chalatse, C of A (CIV) No. 48/2022. Adv Chalatse, who presides over the Judicial Commissioners’ Court, had previously argued that he was entitled to Grade K under the Judiciary’s revised remuneration structure, which the Ministry of Public Service had directed to be implemented in February 2017. The earlier proceedings culminated in a Court of Appeal judgment that overturned a High Court order in his favour. In granting leave, Justice...

…over empty campaign promises Mohloai Mpesi PEKA legislator, Mohopoli Monokoane, has accused politicians of “lying” to voters through empty campaign promises while communities continue to suffer from poverty and unemployment. Addressing residents of Qhoali constituency in Quthing, a stronghold of Democratic Congress (DC) leader and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Mathibeli Mokhothu, Mr Monokoane urged voters to stop following politicians who make promises they cannot fulfil. Mr Monokoane, who is also the owner of Hippo Transport and leader of the fledgling Khanya political movement, said his organisation was instead focused on practical initiatives aimed at helping people escape poverty. He was speaking during Khanya’s ongoing nationwide consultations to gather public input for its policy agenda ahead of its registration as a political party. The movement has so far visited Mohale’s Hoek and Quthing, including areas around the Seaka River, Mount Moorosi and Mphaki. Its next stop will be Sehlabathebe in Qacha’s Nek....

Hopolang Mokhopi THE murder charges against Naledi Funeral Planners (Pty) Ltd founder and chairperson, Thabiso Madiba, have been withdrawn from the Maseru Magistrate’s Court because other suspects linked to the killings remain at large. The matter was withdrawn on Monday after Senior Crown Counsel, Advocate Keketso Motiki, informed the court that the State was unable to proceed against Mr Madiba while the other suspects allegedly involved in the murders were still at large. Mr Madiba had been charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of fellow Naledi shareholder Ikhetheleng Matabane and the company’s finance manager, ‘Maserema ‘Makong. The two were shot dead on 10 February 2023 while at The Deck restaurant in Maseru. The prosecution alleges that the killings were carried out by assailants acting in concert and in furtherance of a common purpose. Mr Madiba initially appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court alongside Mokomane “Qoqotho” Salemone, who...

…as escape route from M49m rent debt Makananelo Manamolela THE cash strapped Maseru City Council (MCC) is said to be considering a move to the Old Parliament Building in Maseru as it seeks an escape route from a crippling M49 million debt in rental arrears. Sources told this publication that the government had identified the Old Parliament Building as a possible alternative home for MCC, in a move that could help the urban authority reduce its rental exposure. This as it has accumulated M49 million in rental arrears to its current landlord. Still, the sources say MCC could face an even more severe financial penalty, exceeding its current arrears, if it vacates the Moonstar Complex before the expiry of its current lease. “MCC is supposed to move to the Old Parliament Building as part of efforts to reduce the burden of renting offices, but the problem is that there is an existing lease agreement with Moonstar,” one source said. Another source said the Council’s reported M49 million rental debt...

…as police wrap up probe into former Lesotho Times production chief’s fatal pharmacy ordeal Moorosi Tsiane POLICE have completed investigations into the death of former Lesotho Times and Sunday Express Head of Production, Moletsane Makhabane, with the docket now before the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision on possible prosecution. Mr Makhabane walked into Life-Line Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors (Pty) Ltd in Maseru on 14 March 2026 seeking medical assistance, but never walked out. What was reportedly meant to be a routine visit for medication and wound dressing allegedly turned into a fatal medical ordeal after an employee, Thabang Tloome, allegedly performed an unauthorised surgery to remove a lump from Mr Makhabane’s armpit. Mr Makhabane, who was battling skin cancer, allegedly received an overdose of the anaesthetic ketamine during the procedure and subsequently died. Nearly six months after his death, police have completed their investigation, leaving the DPP...