…after “verbally” suspending procurement manager …and assuming the procurement functions himself Mohloai Mpesi DEFENCE and National Security Permanent Secretary, Mpopo Tšoele, has suspended the ministry’s Procurement Manager, Senate Makhaola, and arrogated its procurement functions to himself. Mr Tšoele now stand accused of directing the purchasing of supplies to the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) himself, allegedly bypassing established procurement procedures in the process. Sources close to the ministry have accused Mr Tšoele of interfering in procurement processes by abruptly discontinuing existing supplier contracts and sourcing alternative suppliers. This he is doing based on claims that he is cutting costly middlemen.  He is now allegedly sourcing things like meat and gas for the LDF from alternative suppliers, leaving those with existing contracts in limbo. The sources argue that is illegal as these alternative suppliers did not go through competitive bidding. Mr Tšoele is alleged to have verbally suspended Ms Makhaola on 31 May 2026 – barely a month after he (Tšoele) was transferred to the defence portfolio  from the then Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police....

  THE revelations emerging from Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) are becoming too disturbing to ignore.  Every time the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sits to examine the country’s flagship referral hospital, another troubling revelation seems to emerge. What started as an inquiry into the hospital’s governance and financial management has steadily opened a much wider picture of institutional dysfunction, questionable appointments, payroll irregularities and now serious questions about the professional credentials of a health worker.  The latest revelation, which emerged before PAC on Wednesday, is particularly alarming because it goes directly to the heart of patient safety.  QMMH employee, Mantsane Likotsi, admitted before the Committee that she never sat for the nursing licensure examination required before registration as a practising nurse. PAC consequently ordered the Lesotho Nursing Council Registrar to revoke her certificate and directed the hospital’s Human Resources Manager to terminate her employment.  The matter is now also being investigated by the police. The nursing council has confirmed that...

…as Lerotholi Polytechnic strengthens skills development  Moroke Sekoboto  NINE Roads Directorate (RD) technicians have graduated from a rigorous one-year capacity-building programme at Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP), marking a significant milestone in public-sector skills development.  The graduation ceremony, held in Teyateyaneng on Thursday, also saw the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two government institutions, formalising a partnership aimed at developing a future-ready infrastructure workforce.  The Roads Technicians Capacity Building Course, delivered by LP’s School of Continuing Excellence (SOCE), was designed to address critical skills gaps identified during the RD’s recent organisational restructuring.  Speaking at the ceremony, RD Director General, Teboho Mokhoane, said the programme was intended to complement the technicians’ existing experience and expertise.  Mr Mokhoane commended the graduates for serving not only as public servants but also as mentors to younger technicians, saying their technical knowledge, combined with their understanding of Lesotho’s terrain and climate, would contribute to improved service delivery.  “It is a profound honour for me to stand before you today as we mark two significant milestones in a single ceremony: the graduation of...

  Hopolang Mokhopi  A Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) lance sergeant, Liteboho Makhakhe, has found himself in trouble with the law again, this time accused of assaulting and shooting at colleagues stationed at Hoohlo Police Station.  Makhakhe, who was charged in 2022 with unlawful possession and illegal sale of a firearm, appeared before the Maseru Magistrate’s Court facing four charges, including aggravated assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm.  The firearm in the 2022 case was allegedly used in the commission of a robbery in Mafeteng on an unspecified date. He was released on bail in that matter.  In the latest case, Makhakhe appeared before Resident Magistrate Thabang Tapole, represented by Advocate Tumelo Qhophe, while the Crown was represented by Advocate Seeng Monyane.  According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were committed on 27 February 2026 at or near Hoohlo Police Station in Maseru.  On the first count, Makhakhe is charged with aggravated assault for allegedly hitting Ntsane Moeketsi on the head with a firearm, with the intention...

…as he alleges regulator is trying to drive him out of practice  Moorosi Tsiane  Optometrist, Dr Hamisi Hamidu Chuwa, owner of Right to Sight Optometric Centre (Pty) Ltd, has dragged the Lesotho Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Council (LMDPC) to court, accusing the regulatory body of using “xenophobic” tactics to force qualified foreign doctors out of practice.  Dr Chuwa is challenging the council’s refusal to renew his certificate of retention, warning that his licence to practise as an optometrist expires on 23 September 2026.  He argues that failure to renew the certificate could effectively bring his practice to a halt, putting both his livelihood and the services provided to his patients at risk.  In court papers filed at the High Court this past week, Dr Chuwa alleges that LMPDC officials have embarked on a deliberate campaign against expatriate medical practitioners, accusing the council of abusing its regulatory powers and acting in bad faith.  “The xenophobic idea of putting expatriate doctors out of business in...

  …from two employees to more than 200 jobs  Seithati Motsoeneng  WHAT started in 2019 as a modest apparel business with four machines and two employees, has grown into a fully-fledged factory employing about 90 people, with a second facility expected to push employment beyond 200.  Tranquil Apparel founder, Clement Molupe, attributes the transformation to targeted government support through the Competitive and Financial Inclusion Project (CAFI), following his initial incubation by the Basotho Enterprise Development Corporation (BEDCO), and later financial assistance from Lesotho PostBank.  The company, based in the Maputsoe Industrial Area, launched its second factory shell on Thursday in what Mr Molupe described as a major milestone in the growth of the business.  The new facility is expected to accommodate about 150 additional workers and 80 new machines, enabling the company to expand its production capacity and pursue larger local and international orders.  Speaking at the launch, Mr Molupe said government-backed programmes had provided the foundation for his business to grow from a small operation into an industrial enterprise.  “I am...

…as she says ABC-linked ex-husband helped her obtain it Moroke Sekoboto THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered Lesotho Nursing Council (LNC) Registrar, Flavia Moetsana, to revoke the nursing assistant certificate of Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) employee, Mantsane Likotsi, after she admitted that she never sat for the required nursing licensure examination. The Committee also directed QMMH Human Resources Manager, Makatleho Lefielo, to terminate Ms Likotsi’s employment following revelations that she allegedly obtained the certificate without completing the examination required for professional registration. Ms Likotsi made the admission before PAC yesterday during its inquiry into the operations of QMMH. She told the Committee that she did not sit for the nursing licensure examination, which candidates are required to pass before they can be registered and allowed to practise. Likotsi, who holds a Nursing Assistant certificate from the National Health Training College, said her practising certificate from LNC was obtained...