346 …ahead of European Parliament elections  Letsatsi Selikoe  ON May 9 2024, the European Union (EU) mission in Lesotho celebrated Europe Day, a significant event honouring the European region’s unity, diversity, and achievements.  As the elections for the European Parliament approach, the day served as a reminder of the values and progress made by the EU.  Europe Day marks the anniversary of the historic ‘Schuman Declaration’ in 1950, which aimed to steer Europe towards a path of peace, prosperity, and political cooperation following the Second World War.  The Declaration proposed a new form of collaboration that would make war between European nations unthinkable.  This year’s celebrations hold special importance as citizens prepare to exercise their democratic rights in the upcoming elections.  Europe Day encourages reflection on the shared history, the progress made by the EU, and the values that unite its diverse population.  In a statement, the European Union in...

311 …as police express concern over spate of child abuse cases  Moroke Sekoboto  THE police service arm, the Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU), says at least 120 child molestation cases were reported to the police in just the first three months of 2024.  According to CGPU head, Senior Inspector (S/Insp) Mojabeng Letšela-Mokotjomela, the reported molestation cases involved adults close to the victims, primarily their biological fathers, followed by relatives and close family friends.  “Just last week alone, there were twelve sexual assault cases in the courts. In ten of the cases, victims were young children who had been sexually abused,” S/Insp Letšela-Mokotjomela said in a media post.  “From January to March this year alone, we have had 120 cases of child molestation. Basotho, what have we become? What are we saying about our children’s future?” asked S/Insp Letšela-Mokotjomela.  However, S/Insp Letšela-Mokotjomela said, victims were either scared to report their...

398 …they are officially out of the title race…    …Matlama, Lioli stay neck-and-neck…  …Naughty Boys are relegated…  Leemisa Thuseho  Vodacom Premier League champions BANTU FC will end this season without anything new to add into their trophies’ cabinet.  This, after they were officially kicked out of the title race by their longtime foes, Lioli over the weekend.  Lioli beat beat Bantu 1-nil in a VPL match at Mohale’s Hoek, DiFA Stadium on Sunday.  Lioli’s Jerry Kamela goal from the penalty spot was enough to earn Lioli the important three points to deny Bantu their title defence.  Following the loss, Bantu can only finish the season in position 3, which they are currently occupying with 56 points.  With two games left, Matlama and Lioli are tied at the top of the table with 64 points apiece. Despite the tie, Matlama are at the pole position due to a better goal...

220 …as Karate, Table Tennis are incorporated in new programme  Leemisa Thuseho  TAEKWONDO and gymnastics have been scrapped from the African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games programme.  Instead, karate and table tennis have been incorporated into the new programme.  The next edition of the games was set to be held in Windhoek, Namibia, in December this year.  However, they have now been moved to 2-11 May 2025, still in Namibia.  AUSC Region 5 is the sports arm of the African Union.  The primary aim of the AUSC Region 5 is to use sports to achieve peace, integration, and unity in Southern Africa.  The Region 5 Council of Ministers moved the games to next year after making several pertinent observations.  The conscious decision, the council said, was made upon realising that the Namibian government, could not conclude required administrative processes leading to the signing of the Games Protocol...