By Vuyisile Hlatshwayo Eswatini’s King Mswati III stirred up great hope among his subjects when he promised to give them better access to farmland on which to feed their families and make a living. EmaSwati were asked to apply for access to specific, underutilised farms. But, five years after this promise
Author: LESCIJ LESCIJ
Government tactic to silence key witness in forced sterilisation
PASCALINAH KABI This investigative reporting was supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists. The government has sabotaged a legal bid aimed at exposing secret forced sterilisation programmes at Lesotho’s health facilities. It did this by offering the face of this legal campaign, a well-known survivor of
NGO executives in tax evasion scandal
BILLY NTAOTE Women and Law in Southern Africa Research and Educational Trust Lesotho (WLSA) executives have been released on bail. They are charged with 100 counts of tax evasion, which relate to an amount of M822,773.61 in outstanding taxes owed to the Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL). Reading indictment papers in court to
Help us dig deeper into the “Save LNDC campaign”.
MNN invites whistle-blowers and/or any patriotic persons who may have access To information that may assist in shining a light on alleged corruption purportedly rampant within the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC). MNN has learned that the country’s leading media houses received leaked documents titled “Save LNDC campaign” and as is
Lesotho must review ‘draconian’ Cyber bill
The MNN Centre for Investigative Journalism holds a strong belief that the Computer Crime and Cyber Security Bill 2022 on the cards should be subjected to a multistakeholder review and be re-drafted to accommodate and protect media freedom and freedom of expression. In its current form, the bill purportedly drafted in
LHDA celebrates multi-billion project tender awards but denies impoverished communities their compensation
Matiisetso Mosala There was much pomp and circumstance on 23 May around Lesotho’s King Letsie III and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as they officiated the sod-turning that marked the start of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project’s second phase. The fanfare highlighted how this second phase, which includes the 9.2 billion Maloti
Invisible wounds of involuntary sterilisation on women living with HIV
Non-state actors’ solidarity key to media freedom
…as Lesotho government resuscitate suppressive cybersecurity law formulation By Matiisetso Mosala The emergence of the Computer Crime and Cybersecurity Bill 2021 in Lesotho highlighted how collaborations, synergies and advocacy support from civil society organizations and human rights defenders can promote and protect media freedom and the safety of journalists. Synergies and advocacy for
Jailed Chinese gang leader comes and goes from prison as he pleases
A convicted wildlife smuggler is making a mockery of Malawi’s justice and correctional system as he comes and goes from prison with the help of prison officials and their official service vehicles. A prison vehicle leaves the home of Yunhua Lin, a convicted illegal wildlife trader, after Lin is pictured on
Family ties and lucrative catering contracts
Billy Ntaote A whistleblower as well as employees of Lesotho’s biggest diamond mine — Letšeng Diamond Mine — have raised questions about the way in which a catering, housekeeping and laundry services contract on the mine was awarded. While the losing bidder of this contract also lodged concerns, the mine’s owners have
