Silence Charumbira   The Communist Party of China marked its 105th founding anniversary on 1 July 2026, an occasion that stands as one of the more consequential milestones of the year, not for ceremony’s sake, but for the weight of transformation it represents. Over 105 years, the Party has guided China from a country ravaged by foreign domination, warlordism and poverty into the world’s most dynamic economy and, by most measures, its fastest-modernizing nation. This is not a claim resting on propaganda. It rests on results that are measurable, replicable in parts, and increasingly instructive for the developing world, Africa included. General Secretary Xi Jinping: Draw strength from history Addressing a gathering to mark the anniversary, General Secretary Xi Jinping called on the whole Party to draw strength from its history while forging ahead on the new journey of Chinese modernization, according to state broadcaster CGTN. General Secretary Xi used...

Hopolang Mokhopi TWO former court clerks are standing trial on corruption-related charges after allegedly defrauding the Thaba-Tseka Magistrates’ Court of more than M321,000. Matieho Theoho (52) of Peka Tabola, and Mpho Samane (30) of Ha Matala, appeared before the Maseru Magistrates’ yesterday, where the prosecution alleges they misappropriated M321,093 while employed at the Thaba-Tseka Magistrates’ Court. The matter is before Magistrate Lerato Ntelane, with Advocate Keketso Motiki leading the prosecution. Theoho and Samane are represented by Advocates Khathala and Lepeli Molapo, respectively. According to the charge sheet, between the 2013/14 and 2015/16 financial years, the pair, while serving as Senior Clerk of Court and Court Clerk respectively, unlawfully and intentionally embezzled, misappropriated or diverted M321,093 entrusted to them by virtue of their positions. In the alternative, they face a charge of aggravated theft. The prosecution alleges they unlawfully stole the money, which belonged to or was under the lawful possession of the Ministry of...

Moorosi Tsiane PROMINENT lawyer, Advocate (Adv) Fusi Sehapi, has launched an unprecedented bid to be elevated to the higher silk status in legal practice dubbed King’s Counsel (KC) in Lesotho.  Its equivalent in South Africa is Senior Counsel (SC). Advocate Sehapi has asked Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane to grant him the coveted silk two years before the prescribed qualifying period of 15 years Adv Sehapi argues that his extensive constitutional litigation record and distinguished service to the legal profession justify an exemption from the 15-year minimum practice requirement for KC designation. In a detailed application submitted to the Chief Justice, Adv Sehapi says his 13 years in practice have produced achievements well beyond what is ordinarily expected of a practitioner with his level of experience. He argues that his contributions to constitutional jurisprudence, public interest litigation and the development of cross-border legal practice warrant special consideration. “Without necessarily labelling myself as a perfect and blameless being in...

  …Hails relations with Lesotho as Communist Party of China (CPC) marks 105 years of resilience Moroke Sekoboto CHINA has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit at a time of growing global instability and uncertainty. Speaking during celebrations marking the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Chinese Embassy in Maseru this week, Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, Yang Xiaokun, said the CPC firmly believed every country bore the potential to grow its economy irrespective of the circumstances. He said there was no one-size-fits-all model for modernisation and that every country had the right to pursue a development path suited to its own national conditions. “China’s development path has demonstrated that modernisation does not mean westernisation and that countries of the Global South can independently achieve modernisation while preserving their own history, culture and institutions,” Mr Xiaokun said. The ambassador said CPC General Secretary and...

…as it marks 30-year anniversary Staff Reporter AS part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) has launched the third edition of its annual Winter Drive campaign, calling on Basotho to donate warm clothing, blankets and food to help vulnerable communities cope with the country’s harsh winter. Launched under the theme “Re Anetsa Mofuthu” (We Spread Warmth), the initiative seeks to provide relief to disadvantaged groups across Lesotho while reinforcing the bank’s long-standing commitment to community development. Now in its third year, the Winter Drive has grown from a modest charitable campaign into one of the bank’s flagship corporate social responsibility initiatives, bringing together employees, customers, business partners and members of the public to support those most affected by freezing winter conditions. Over the past two years, the campaign has distributed hundreds of blankets, warm clothes, food parcels and other essential supplies to vulnerable Basotho. This year’s campaign carries...

  …as he claims Matekane’s SA citizenship undermines response to xenophobia  ‘Makananelo Manamolela  BASOTHO National Party (BNP) leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe, has accused Prime Minister Sam Matekane and his ministers of failing to adequately respond to the plight of Basotho affected by xenophobic violence in South Africa because many of them hold South African citizenship and passports.  Addressing a press conference at the BNP headquarters in Maseru yesterday, Mr Mofomobe claimed that about 18 members of the government and Parliament possessed South African passports, creating what he described as a conflict of interest that discourages them from taking a firm stance against the South African government over attacks on foreign nationals.  He further alleged that Mr Matekane recently applied and got a South African passport.  “How can the same prime minister who holds that country’s citizenship fight his own leader (Ramaphosa)? Although Basotho are crying to him, he recently applied for a passport in that country. I have proof that on 3 April 2021 he secured a South African passport,” Mr Mofomobe said.  Mr Mofomobe also criticised what he described...

  …as they recount sexual abuse, hunger and harsh working conditions  Bokang Mofoka  SHEPHERDS from across Lesotho have laid bare the harsh realities of their lives, describing abuse, exploitation, dangerous working conditions and childhood trauma that they say are fuelling a growing mental health crisis among one of the country’s most neglected sectors.  The emotional testimonies emerged during a men’s mental health dialogue organised by the Earth Care Alliance in Thaba-Bosiu, Maseru, over the weekend to mark the end of Men’s Mental Health Month (June).  The gathering gave shepherds a rare platform to openly discuss the psychological burdens they face both at work and at home.  For many participants, stress is rooted not only in the demands of shepherding but also in years of neglect, discrimination and abuse stretching back to childhood.  Shepherds stationed at remote cattle posts painted a grim picture of life in the mountains.  One participant said access to food was often a daily struggle.  “Sometimes when I cannot...

Moorosi Tsiane THE now-defunct Mothae Diamond Mine, owned by former Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Police and Home Affairs, Lebona Lephema, has been dragged to court over an alleged M643 952.87 debt owed to security company, G4S Secure Solutions Lesotho. In papers filed before the Commercial Division of the High Court this month, G4S is seeking payment of the outstanding amount, together with interest and legal costs, arguing that the mine benefited from its security services but failed to honour its contractual obligations to pay for the services despite repeated demands. According to the application, G4S and Mothae entered into a written service agreement in Maseru on 1 February 2022 under which the security company was appointed to provide comprehensive protection services at the mine. The agreement required G4S to provide round-the-clock security, including manned guarding, perimeter security, access control, body searches, patrols, supervision, observation and reporting. Court papers state that G4S deployed day...

  Mohloai Mpesi  THE Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s Department of Debt has come under fire after failing to account for a M119.64 million discrepancy in the government’s treasury bill balances.  The department appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this week to answer queries raised in the Auditor-General’s reports for the financial years ending March 2023 and March 2024.  PAC chairperson, ‘Machabana Lemphane-Letsie, said auditors had flagged an unexplained movement of M119.64 million after the Treasury Bills balance dropped from M867.54 million on 1 April 2023 to M747.90 million on 31 March 2024, without any record of new issuances or repayments to justify the decrease.  According to Auditor-General ‘Mathabo Makenete’s report, the unexplained movement meant the balances did not accurately reflect the government’s future repayment obligations.  “The Treasury Bills opening balance of M867.54 million on 1 April 2023 decreased to M747.90 million on 31 March 2024, without an indication of newly issued bills or repayments during the year,” the...

  FORMER Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili has poured cold water on proposals to replace Lesotho’s proportional representation (PR) zebra system with the best loser model, arguing that the current arrangement creates opportunities for people who would otherwise never make it into Parliament. His concerns, particularly regarding women’s representation and inclusivity, deserve respect and consideration. However, on one fundamental issue, he is wrong. The current zebra model has failed Basotho and needs serious reform. The purpose of Parliament is to represent the people. Every Member of Parliament (MP) should derive his or her legitimacy from the electorate. Unfortunately, the zebra system has created a class of MPs who owe their positions not to voters but to political parties and party leaders. Many PR MPs have never stood before the people seeking a mandate. They enter Parliament through party lists, often selected behind closed doors by party executives. Once in Parliament, their...