…some given to top cops and politicians during the political turmoil BILLY NTAOTE and RETŠELISITSOE KHABO The acquisition of 1500 firearms by the Lesotho Police Staff Association (LEPOSA) during the 2014-2015 political and security instability appears to have been riddled with corruption, negligence, opaque arms dealing, and gifting of guns to government
Author: LESCIJ LESCIJ
Hands On Investigative Journalism fellowship starting from October 1, 2021
The MNN Centre for Investigative Journalism, with support from the Southern Africa Investigative Journalism Hub, IJ HUB , invites applications from print and broadcast journalists aspiring to undergo a three-month intensive investigative reporting fellowship with the Centre. This project is meant to cultivate, enhance and promote investigative journalism in Lesotho. The
Debt-ridden mine accused of abusing workers
By Billy Ntaote and Itumeleng Koleile Former employees of Liqhobong Mining Development Company, a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange-listed Firestone Diamonds Plc, have accused the mining company of reneging on a re-employment promise after it allegedly demanded they withdraw their unfair dismissal lawsuit in exchange for their jobs. Liqhobong, a diamond
Sandstone producer in ‘illegal’ extension of mining site
…allegedly bribed commissioner of mines, politicians and local authorities Matiisetso Mosala Lesotho Stone, a mining company that brands itself as the largest quarrier of natural sandstone products in Southern Africa, is alleged to have illegally extended the boundaries of its mining site, and secured its mining license against these boundaries, by bribing
Zambian Elections, a media perspective
…Lessons for Lesotho’s 2022 polls Matiisetso Mosala In September 2022, Lesotho will hold general elections. In 2017 when the Kingdom had its last polls, Basotho knew what they wanted; they wanted Change. Basotho wanted to see their country develop, poverty eradicated and jobs created, especially for youth and the country just at peace
Spotlight on sinking school feeding project
NICOLE TAU The School Feeding Programme, launched as an initiative to provide hundreds of thousands of malnourished primary school students with a healthy diet, is failing, MNN Centre for Investigative Journalism can reveal. The World Food Program’s Fill the Nutrient Gap Lesotho reported in 2019 that 33% of Basotho children under five
Rustling prone farmers held hostage by corruption
NICOLE TAU Livestock dependent farmers in the highlands of the country have been left in abject poverty after the Park Homes project that was intended to combat animal theft has been abandoned. The project was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Home Affairs to ease stolen livestock identification and recovery. “The
Life-saving medicinal plants face extinction
PASCALINAH KABI Shivering and moaning, 36-year-old ’Mantoa Kobeli can barely sit unassisted on a plastic chair in a “consulting room”, a shack run by a traditional healer, Monaheng Lekhooana. A burning blue candle and a small bowl oozing an aromatic smell from burning medicinal plants sit between Mr Lekhooana and Ms Kobeli. Ms
Sexual harassment survivor fired
Itumeleng Koleile A woman who worked for Alluvial Ventures, a sub-contractor to Letšeng Diamonds Ltd, a company majority-owned by the London Stock Exchange-listed Gem Diamonds, has been dismissed after pressing charges of sexual assault against her former supervisor. Sebongile Mokhele (29) believes her dismissal, allegedly on the grounds of insubordination, was an
Anti-Corruption bosses face corruption, fraud and money laundering charges
BILLY NTAOTE Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) director general Mahlomola Manyokole (41) and head of the Asset Recovery Unit Peter Matekane (39) are facing charges of corruption and fraud for allegedly swindling the government out of M3,8 million. On Friday, Matekane appeared alongside five other co-accused before Magistrate Nthabiseng
