pictured: Ex-miner Sebota Motseki Billy Ntaote This story is supported
Special Report
“We were told to stop everything immediately”: HIV programmes collapse after USAID decision
PEPFAR was started in 2003 under the administration of President George W. Bush. It has been one of the most successful examples of foreign aid in recent history. A large portion of PEPFAR funds are distributed through USAID, the aid organisation of the US government. Photo: Sechaba Mokhethi Sechaba Mokhethi The stoppage
Lesotho’s cancer burden and its soaring cost
Billy Ntaote Lesotho cancer patients’ dependence on South African oncology services in Bloemfontein has brought a huge financial burden to the country’s health budget and created a dire need for oncology services to be provided locally. On February 5, during a celebration of Cancer Day—celebrated on February 4th internationally—Health Minister Selibe Mochoboroane
Lesotho advances M800 million cancer facility amid legal battle
On 8 January 2025, hopes soared when Lesotho’s Health Minister Selibe Mochoboroane handed over a plot of land for the construction of a much-anticipated M800 million cancer treatment facility.
This government-funded facility in the capital, Maseru, would be the first of its kind in the country and would alleviate the suffering of Lesotho’s growing number of cancer patients who currently have no choice but to seek costly cancer treatment in neighbouring South Africa.
But things aren’t as exciting or straightforward as the politicians make them seem. The process of awarding the tender to build this facility is being challenged in court. The Malawian company, Plem Construction, was selected as the winning bidder in April 2024, but the rival bidder, Unik Construction Engineering Pty Ltd. believes the process was flawed and has asked the Constitutional Court to intervene.
Top Zambian presidential advisor embroiled in police investigation into ‘misdirected’ Sun Pharmaceuticals’ funds.
By Charles Mafa Indian citizen, Vinod Sadhu, who has been on the Zambian police’s wanted list since 2018, was finally arrested when he entered the country in September in his private jet. However, the following day, a senior ruling party official and a presidential political advisor ordered the police to release
Plunder from the East
How the notorious Chinese wildlife syndicate Lin-Zhang looted Malawi’s mineral wealth Golden Matonga They arrived in Malawi as legitimate Chinese investors but immediately started trading illegally in Southern and Eastern Africa’s wildlife and wildlife products. The law eventually caught up with them, but the crimes they were found guilty of are just
ZAMBIA: TOP HEALTH MINISTRY OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF MEDDLING IN MEDICINE PROCUREMENT
By MakanDay Centre for Investigative Journalism Zambia’s health procurement system is paralysed by a stand-off between officials in the ministry of health. Those wanting to clean up corruption and stop the rot are clashing with others fighting to secure contracts for companies that pay. The result? The billions available to
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
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
