Mining companies cashing in on global demand for cobalt are destroying protected nature reserves in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Jonas Kiriko visits reserves in the south of the country to investigate Border hotspot: Transport vehicles and small traders at the Kasumbalesa border post. An agent from the customs and excise department said
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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
TRC Board member resigns…as Peshoane is cleared
BILLY NTAOTE Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) Board member, Tankiso Sephoso, has resigned after the rights group’s Board cleared the organisation's executive director, Tsikoane Peshoane, off all corruption accusations levelled against him by employees last month. Peshoane returned to work following the Board decisions which came at the height of fresh accusations of
Credibility of TRC chairperson questioned
Accused of protecting Peshoane as corruption investigation lingers BILLY NTAOTE and NTHATUOA KOESHE An ongoing Transformation Resource Centre (TRC)’s inquiry into alleged corruption and abuse of power by the rights group Executive Director Tsikoane Peshoane has allegedly lost its credibility. TRC staffers are accusing the Chairperson of the Board, ‘Mamolefe Petlane, of protecting
TRC boss sent home pending corruption probe
BILLY NTAOTE Tsikoane Peshoane, an Executive Director for Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) was sent on forced leave with immediate effect following a damning petition by the organisation’s staff to the Board, accusing him of alleged negligence, corruption, violation of labour rights and tax laws. Hape Moshabesha and fifteen other disgruntled employees penned
Fresh investigations into Machabeng corruption saga
Nicole Tau A day following our exposé on Machabeng College’s maladministration, loss of accreditation and membership to Council of International Schools (CIS), the school issued a meeting invitation to scholars’ parents. The meeting was held on Friday last week where the newly appointed board of governors announced its intention to launch an
Govt seeking to fund drug trials
MATIISETSO MOSALA The government of Lesotho revealed its plan to raise M7-million to fund pre-clinical and clinical trials for the National University of Lesotho’s (NUL) drug compound, a potential treatment for Covid. The trials will evaluate whether the drug compound is safe for use in humans and determine if it can be
Banned PBC oil found in LEC, LNDC transformers
NICOLE TAU Despite 2004 global ban, PBC oil has recently been found in 15 transformers used by the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) and Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) while 3000 more are awaiting tests. The study, conducted under the project spearheaded by the LEC and environmental department in the Ministry of Tourism,
LCA officials quit jobs to avoid probe
MAMELLO MOSAEFANE Lesotho Communication Authority (LCA)’s Chief Finance Officer ‘Masebolaoa Sebolaoa and Finance Manager ‘Maseoli Sekoati recently quit their job at the start of investigations into the alleged mismanagement of the authority’s funds. Chief Finance Officer ‘Masebolaoa Sebolaoa, Finance Manager ‘Maseoli Sekoati and the Human Resource Manager ‘Mathabo Sebilo allegedly mismanaged the
