Power, governance and the rights of Basotho — Parliament, parties, the courts, and the human-rights debates that define the country's direction.
Politics & Rights
Lesotho's opposition parties have petitioned the Southern African Development Community accusing the government of systematically defying court orders and undermining judicial authority while pursuing constitutional reforms. The opposition has suspended its participation in the national reforms process, citing the government's failure to implement multiple court orders
Politics & Rights
Thabo 'Mahapu' Ramatla, a Lesotho politician, has returned to frontline politics after being acquitted of all charges in a South African court on 6 December 2024, following 20 months in custody related to a 2019 murder case. He has joined the Khanya Ea Basotho movement and criticized the
Politics & Rights
Lesotho's Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Law and Public Safety is hearing competing proposals from stakeholders on electoral reform, with debate centred on whether to retain the current Zebra Model or replace it with the proposed Best Loser Model for allocating proportional representation seats. The Independent Electoral Commission has
Politics & Rights
The Lesotho government has launched multi-stakeholder consultations to establish a new National Reforms Implementation Authority (NRIA) to replace the National Reforms Authority and oversee implementation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution. The proposed NRIA will operate for 18 months with a time-bound mandate to coordinate the drafting
Politics & Rights
The National University of Lesotho faces a leadership crisis following competing claims to the Vice-Chancellor position, with the Council appointing Professor Motlatsi Molati as Acting Vice-Chancellor while Professor Kananelo Mosito claims a Court of Appeal order entitled him to the role. The prolonged dispute threatens institutional credibility and
Politics & Rights
Dr Mahali Phamotse, leader of the United African Transformation party in Lesotho, has petitioned her South African counterpart Dr Lehlohonolo Mahlatsi to push for immigration reforms protecting Basotho nationals facing increased enforcement operations in South African towns. Phamotse argues that Lesotho's unique geographical position, historical solidarity during apartheid,
Politics & Rights
The National University of Lesotho is experiencing recurring leadership disputes involving competing claims to the Vice-Chancellor position, multiple court cases, and acting appointments that have become a persistent institutional crisis. The article criticizes the governance framework for enabling these conflicts and argues that the leadership instability damages NUL'
Politics & Rights
Spousal violence is the leading form of gender-based violence in Lesotho, with 92.6% of reported abuse occurring within intimate relationships according to police statistics from January to May 2026. Maseru Urban accounts for 61.9% of all reported GBV cases, with women and girls representing 93.5% of
Politics & Rights
The government has spent over M1 million on medical treatment for Thaba Bosiu Principal Chief Khoabane Theko, who was hospitalized in India since March after falling ill during an official trip. The expenditure was revealed during a Public Accounts Committee hearing where officials provided conflicting explanations about whether the treatment
Politics & Rights
Local businessman Elias Motlomelo accused former LDF commander Tlali Kamoli of orchestrating his abduction and torture nearly two decades ago, claiming the assault caused permanent injury. Motlomelo's allegations came in response to Kamoli's testimony in the High Court bombing trial implicating him in illegal possession of
Politics & Rights
Lesotho's Parliament Public Accounts Committee has resolved to block government payment of a M237.94 million debt to Netcare until retired Queen 'Mamohato Memorial Hospital employees receive outstanding severance and provident fund benefits. The debt arose from the 2021 cancellation of a public-private partnership agreement, with
Politics & Rights
PEKA MP Mohopoli Monokoane has urged Basotho youth to embrace commercial agriculture as a solution to unemployment and poverty, planting 10,000 cabbage seedlings in Mohale's Hoek as part of a demonstration project. Monokoane, who leads the Khanya political movement, argues that expanding commercial farming, irrigation infrastructure, and