The king has secretly been transferring state farms as well as others he holds in trust for his subjects, into his private company Nimrod Mabuza Nomsa Mngomezulu is from the impoverished, drought-prone Nkalashane area, under the Lomahasha chiefdom in the Lubombo region. She is currently Eswatini’s reigning woman farmer of the year, but
Author: news@lescij.org
Lekhetho is Founding Editor and Journalist at MNN Centre for Investigative Journalism in Maseru, Lesotho. He is 2016 First-Prize Investigative Journalism Award Winner sponsored by MISA – Lesotho and US Embassy – Maseru. Lekhetho has attended a three-month intensive investigative journalism fellowship with AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism in Johannesburg, South Africa, from mid-August to mid-November 2018.
During the fellowship, Lekhetho published in South Africa and Lesotho five “impressive” investigative articles about the beleaguered Lesotho’s wool industry, the country’s capture claims by Chinese community, how a Chinese business mogul in the country funded almost every politician and influenced state decisions.
Lekhetho has been commended by his editor and mentor at AmaBhungane, Andrew Forrest, as one of best fellows the Centre has enrolled.
Lekhetho is one of 37 contributors in the Southern African Muckraking – an anthology edited by Anton Harbor and launched during the 2018 African Investigative Journalism Conference in October.
Royal Scheme: Subjects worry that they are being duped by their king
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
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
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
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
MNN Condemn Journalist’s murder
It is with great distress that the MNN Centre for Investigative Journalism has learned of the barbaric and cowardly actions of assailants who assassinated Tšenolo FM’s program anchor Ralikonelo Joki, who was affectionately known as Leqhashasha. Mr. Joki was gunned down by unknown assailants when he left the Tšenolo FM premises
Help us keep power in check & fill out our Survey on Potential Threats to Media Freedom & Journalists
This is a Survey on Potential Threats to Media Freedom and Journalists' Safety posed by the Lesotho Computer Crime and Cybersecurity Bill, 2022. This research is conducted by MNN Centre for Investigative Journalism (MNNCIJ) and aims at gathering evidence on the extent to which Lesotho's impending Computer Crime and Cybersecurity Act exposes
Lesotho’s choice: carrot or stick?
The United States says it won’t offer Lesotho a USD 300 million compact unless overhauled labour, health and safety laws are implemented in textile factories This is the second part of a five-part investigation by MNN into how Lesotho’s textile factories operate with a disregard for labour laws and with apparent
