Lesotho Roundup: SA exemption permit, investigator arrested, HIV pandemic

Extension granted for Basotho workers in SA

Over 54,000 Basotho workers in South Africa receive a two-year extension to their exemption permits, allowing legal employment until November 29, 2025. The final extension is a result of collaborative efforts between Lesotho and South Africa, emphasizing eased movement between the two countries, local media, Public Eye News reports. The Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs, and Police, Lephema Lebona said, “This comes after vigorous negotiations between Lesotho and South Africa in Pretoria in September this year where we signed a bi-national co-operation agreement…I would like to thank Minister Motsoaledi and officers of Home Affairs in both countries for working together to see this process through. We are still working hard to ensure that movement of persons between the two countries becomes more relaxed.” “The affected Lesotho nationals will be entitled to apply for new exemption permits under the following terms and conditions: A holder of the exemption permits will be entitled to work, seek employment and conduct business in the Republic of South Africa,” he is further quoted.

Legal battle over motion to unseat premier

Democratic Congress (DC) MP Mootsi Lehata faced challenges in the High Court as his lawyers withdrew from representing him in a case challenging a motion of confidence against Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane. Justice Makara emphasizes the constitutional significance of the case and urges expedited proceedings, the Public Eye reports. A member of the bench in the matter, Justice Molefi Makara, said they have had to leave cases of ordinary Basotho due to the prominence of the case before the court as such further delays cannot be allowed. “Your case raises an intriguing question of the constitutionality of a constitutional provision; it’s a very serious matter that the nation is eager to know about so the question is: how should we expeditiously prosecute this case?” Justice Makara asked. Lehata filed a counter application urging the court for an urgent hearing. However, the court consolidated his application with Lejone's, deeming them both urgent. Despite this decision, two months later, the case is still pending before the court.

Prime Minister promotes investment in Kenya

Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane has encouraged Kenyan businesses to explore investment opportunities in Lesotho during the Youth Connekt Summit in Nairobi. He highlighted Lesotho's potential for private investment and partnerships, inviting Kenyan investors to engage with Basotho youth for mutual development, Informative News reported. “On behalf of the Government and the people of Lesotho, I would like to thank you for making time to attend this meeting to exchange information and explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities in the Kingdom of Lesotho, which ultimately would enhance opportunities for mutual development of both my country Lesotho and your country Kenya,” Matekane is quoted. He added, “Lesotho and Kenya- going beyond our respective borders to explore investment opportunities and build strategic partnerships that will lead to the sustainable development of our respective countries including our youth.”

HIV/AIDS prevalence in Lesotho

Female sex workers and gay men constitute the largest affected groups in Lesotho's HIV prevalence, with 22.7% national prevalence. The National AIDS Commission Chairperson Reverend Ntokwenzani Xaba has discussed vulnerable populations and the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS during World AIDS Day commemorations. “The country has more infections per 100,000 people than other countries such as Namibia, Botswana and Eswatini.  Women and adolescent girls continued to exhibit higher HIV prevalence compared to men and boys in the general population,” Xaba is quoted by Sunday Express. Further, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, commended Lesotho for its efforts in fighting  HIV/AIDS, she said “It will determine if the close to 300 000 people living with HIV continue being virally suppressed, enjoying healthy, productive, and full lives…It will determine whether the current 4,800 new infections per year are interrupted and further controlled. In short, it will determine if we sustainably achieve and maintain zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero discrimination by 2030 and beyond.”

Corruption investigator arrested for bribery

A principal investigator from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) is arrested for accepting bribes and misleading individuals about DCEO investigations. DCEO Director General Knorx Molelle vows to combat corruption within the organization, affirming a commitment to ensuring the integrity of DCEO officers, Sunday Express reports. DCEO Director General, Knorx Molelle told the media that, “It is very unfortunate that this happens to one of our officers, but it has been my intention to fight corruption and when I started this job, I told DCEO officers that I will start with our own house to ensure that my colleagues are not engaged in corrupt activities…For the longest time there have always been complaints that the DCEO cannot fight corruption because they are corrupt themselves. So, I embarked on this crusade to ensure that before I go out to fight corruption, my own house is clean. I will ensure that DCEO officers are not corrupt. Now we have arrested one of our colleagues, who has been embroiled in corrupt activities. For the longest time he has been taking money from people, threatening them that the DCEO has  cases against them and if they pay, he will make sure that their dockets disappear.”