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𝐊𝐡𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐮, 𝐌𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝
The minister of Energy Mohlomi Moleko in collaboration with the with the South African minister of water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina on Friday officially launched the Khubelu and Mabunyaneng bridges in Mokhotlong.

The ceremony which was hosted by LHDA marks a milestone of
completing the three major bridges constructed under Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, together with the Senqu Bridge.

𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 | 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
TWENTY-EIGHT journalists have completed a two-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening the media’s role in promoting and reporting on the rights of persons with disabilities.

The workshop was organised by the Lesotho Disability Advisory Council (PWDAC) in partnership with MISA Lesotho.

Closing the workshop, 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐨 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐚, urged the journalists to put the knowledge acquired to good use and share it with colleagues who could not attend the training.

Lesaoana reminded the media of its influence in shaping public perceptions and attitudes, urging journalists to move away from portraying persons with disabilities as objects of pity.

He said disability reporting should instead highlight the achievements, resilience and contributions of persons with disabilities.

The minister said the media had an important role to play in challenging stereotypes and promoting a more inclusive society.

The PWDAC was established under the Persons with Disability Equity Act of 2021 as an autonomous advisory body to government on disability issues. Its mandate includes monitoring the rights of persons with disabilities, advising government on disability matters, raising public awareness and disseminating information on disability rights.

The establishment of the Council followed years of advocacy by disability organisations, with its members appointed and gazetted in 2023.

The workshop sought to equip journalists with a better understanding of disability rights and encourage more accurate, balanced and rights-based reporting on issues affecting persons with disabilities.

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐞
THE Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) says it is struggling to make significant headway in the investigation into the alleged abduction and torture of journalist and activist 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐬𝐞 because investigators have been unable to speak to him directly.

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐨𝐬𝐨 told a press conference at police headquarters in Maseru earlier today that investigators had already interviewed potential witnesses and followed several leads, but said the case would be difficult to conclusively pursue speedly without further information from Boloetse.

Boloetse reported the matter at the Maseru Charge Office on Sunday, where police recorded his statement.

However, Matsoso said investigators had identified gaps in the statement which could only be clarified by Boloetse, who is understood to be the key eyewitness to the alleged attack.

He said police could continue investigating in Boloetse’s absence, but that would make the process significantly more difficult and time-consuming.

“The investigation can continue, but it will take much longer. We would be looking for a needle in a haystack, whereas if Mr Boloetse were to present himself to the police, our investigations would be more pointed,” Matsoso said.

He added that unnecessary delays in the investigation could give suspects more time to destroy or conceal evidence and cover their tracks, making it even harder for investigators to establish what happened.

He said he had established a high-level investigation team to deal with what he described as a “horrific and barbaric” incident which had no place in a democratic country.

“We are ready to take on this case, which has sent shock waves across the country and beyond, and we cannot spare anyone who will be found to be implicated in this case, as we have done before,” he said.

He said he had also met with the management of Newsday Newspaper, where Boloetse works as an editor, in an attempt to facilitate contact between the journalist and the investigators.

Matsoso said the meeting had not resulted in the police securing physical access to Boloetse, but stressed that investigators remained ready to engage with him on terms that would make him comfortable.

He said Boloetse could choose the police officer he wished to deal with, including the Chief of Police himself.

Matsoso also undertook to provide security for Boloetse should he emerge from his current safe location and engage with the police.

Asked why investigators could not interview him telephonically or virtually, Matsoso said physical interaction with witnesses was important to police investigations.

He said police training and experience had shown that investigators could obtain valuable information from a witness’s body language and demeanour during an interview.

Matsoso revealed that investigators had also followed up on information concerning an alleged vehicle and its registration number.

He stopped short of disclosing their findings, saying only that the investigation had so far produced a narrative that was “slightly different” from the version circulating in the public domain.

He again stressed that direct engagement with Boloetse would help investigators establish what happened and reconcile the different accounts.

Matsoso appealed to anyone with information about the alleged attack to approach the police.

“We appeal to anyone with whatever information related to this matter, be it neighbours or journalists, as we cannot make much progress without the cooperation of all,” he said.

Boloetse is reportedly staying in a safe place following the alleged abduction and torture.

All attempts to reach out to Boloetse were unsuccessful as his phone is not available.

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤'𝐬 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M-sWorc03rJfyXpa3UzUiXNY_yABu5U_/view?usp=drivesdk

𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐏𝐖𝐃𝐀𝐂 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
The Persons with Disability Advisory Council (PWDAC) and MISA Lesotho are holding a two-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening disability rights reporting in Lesotho.

The workshop, which brings together 28 journalists from print, broadcast and digital media, seeks to equip media practitioners with a rights-based approach to covering disability issues.

It comes amid concerns that persons with disabilities remain largely marginalised in the country's news agenda and are often poorly represented when they do feature in the media.

Journalists operate under tight deadlines, financial constraints and increasing pressure to chase breaking news, often leaving little room for in-depth, human-centred reporting on vulnerable and marginalised communities.

Disability reporting, in particular, can also fall into the trap of portraying people with disabilities as either objects of pity or as inspirational figures simply for performing ordinary activities.

The workshop seeks to challenge these approaches and promote reporting that recognises persons with disabilities as rights-holders, citizens and active participants in society.

A key focus will be shifting disability reporting from a charity-based narrative to one centred on human rights, equality, dignity and accountability.

Issues such as inaccessible public buildings, courts and polling stations, as well as barriers to accessing public information and health messages, will be viewed as institutional and societal challenges rather than merely personal limitations.

The training is also expected to encourage journalists to scrutinise the implementation of disability rights laws and international human rights obligations, while holding government institutions, policymakers and other duty-bearers accountable.

It will further address the language used in headlines, news reports and radio programmes, with emphasis on how media narratives can either challenge stigma and discrimination or reinforce them.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, MISA Lesotho National Governing Council chairperson Khotsofalang Koloi welcomed the initiative and said the media had an important role in advancing social justice, inclusion and human rights.

He said press freedom could not be considered complete if sections of society remained voiceless or were misrepresented.

The workshop will therefore seek to ensure that disability is not treated merely as a “special interest” subject, but is incorporated into mainstream reporting across political, economic, health, infrastructure and other beats.

Lesotho Disability Advisory Council
MISA Lesotho

𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐀 | 𝐃𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐋𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐁𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐓𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨
Setsi sa Thibelo le Toantšo ea Bobolu le Bomenemene (DCEO) se fihletse tumellano le rakhoebo ebile e le mopolotiki Jane Lekunya, nyeoeng eo ho eona a neng a hapelletsoe ea bobolu bo amang mosebetsi oa ho reka lipeo, manyolo le lichefo bakeng sa Lekala la Temo ka 2021/22.

Lekunya ea nang le khoebo ea ho kalima likhoebo tse fumaneng mesebetsi e meholo chelete ha li se na chelete ea ho qala mosebetsi, o ne a ile a kalima Glorified Group of Companies (Pty) Ltd le Movement (Pty) Ltd, tse tsamaisoang ke Moeketsi Ntaote chelete ea ho qala mosebetsi oa ho rekela lekala lipeo le menontša.

Liphuputso tsa DCEO li ile tsa sibolla h**e licompany tseo tse peli, hammoho le motsamaisi oa tsona Ntaote o fuoe mosebetsi ka matšophenene ke eo e neng e le procurement manager ’Mapaseka Nkone.

E le rakhoebo ha ho ka moo a ka tsebang h**e na mabota a hae a fumane mosebetsi joang.

Leha ho le joalo, molao o re rakhoebo kapa batho ka bomong ba lokela ho tseba mohloli oa chelete eo a e fumanang kapa a lefshoang ka eona. Ka hona, kaha DCEO e belaela h**e Ntaote o fumane mosebetsi ka bobolu, ke ho bolela h**e ha a lefa Lekunya chelete eo a mo kalimmeng hammoho le tsoala, e nkoa e se e le chelete e nang le letsuka la bobolu (tainted money and proceeds of corruption).

Ke ka hona DCEO le Lekunya ba fihletseng tumellano ea h**e chelete eohle eo a neng a e fumane e le tsoala kalimanong eo (M6 million), e oele ka mokotleng oa ’muso. Leha ho le joalo, Lekunya o tla fumana chelete ea hae eo a neng a kalimane ka eona ebile ha e sa le moqosuoa nyeoeng eo.

Leha ho le joalo, Nkone, Ntaote le licompany tsa hae ba tla tsoela ho qosoa ka nyeoe ea bobolu le bomenemene.

Tebello ke h**e bopaking ba hae o tla hlalosetsa lekhotla na ho tlile joang a kalime licomapany tseo chelete.

Tumellano e entsoe ka pele ho moahloli oa Lekhotla le Phahameng Polo Banyane.

𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

Click on the link below and apply
https://www.nwu.ac.za/mynwu