AGP Executive Report

Investment Diplomacy: Prime Minister Samuel Matekane met Qatar’s leader at the World Investment Forum in Doha to discuss strengthening bilateral ties. The forum brings together governments and investors as developing economies face weak global investment flows. Public Procurement: An investigation alleges a company was preparing for a M7 million electricity-saving contract for Lesotho Defence Force housing without a tender. Defence Principal Secretary Mpopo Tšoele denies the ministry hired a contractor. Regional Security: Matekane was elected incoming chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, giving Lesotho a key role in regional peace and stability. Economic Policy: Foreign Minister Limpho Tau called for investment and technology transfer, rather than reliance on aid, and presented Lesotho’s renewable energy potential to investors in Germany. Government Accountability: A parliamentary committee says weak oversight of medicinal cannabis licences and fees has cost Lesotho millions in potential revenue. Prime Minister’s adviser Joseph Jankie Setšabi has also been charged with alleged sexual assault; he was released on bail.

Qatar Talks: Prime Minister Samuel Matekane met Qatar’s prime minister in Doha to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments. Health Governance: WHO and Parliament discussed the future of Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital, with leadership and accountability central to plans for the country’s main referral facility. Economic Outlook: The IMF forecasts Lesotho’s growth will slow from 1.1% in 2026 to 0.8% in 2027, below population growth, and urged targeted support for households facing higher costs. Public Accountability: The IEC admitted breaking financial rules by using M80 million in unspent election funds to buy its headquarters, drawing scrutiny from the Public Accounts Committee. A parliamentary probe also flagged weak oversight of cannabis licences and unpaid fees. Regional Role: Matekane was elected incoming chair of SADC’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. Court Watch: The prime minister’s adviser Joseph Jankie Setšabi was charged with alleged sexual assault and released on bail.

Justice: Two Lesotho nationals were sentenced to life in prison in South Africa for murdering two men at the Maseru Bridge border post in 2024; they were extradited from Lesotho to face trial. Regional Diplomacy: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane was elected incoming chair of SADC’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, giving Lesotho a key role in regional peace and security. Political Accountability: PM adviser Joseph Jankie Setšabi has been charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a priest in 2020 and was released on bail. Public Spending: The IEC admitted it broke financial management laws by diverting M80 million in unspent election funds to buy its headquarters. The PAC is probing the unbudgeted purchase and the role of Justice Minister Richard Ramoeletsi. Public Revenue: A parliamentary probe found major oversight failures in medicinal cannabis licensing, with about 75 companies reportedly owing licence fees and millions of maloti in potential revenue lost.

Regional Leadership: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane has been elected incoming chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, ending a deadlock over the post and giving Lesotho a key role in regional stability. IEC Finances: The electoral commission admitted breaking financial rules by diverting M80 million in unspent election funds to buy its Maseru West headquarters. The Public Accounts Committee is probing the purchase. Court Watch: Matekane’s advisor Joseph Jankie Setšabi has been charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a priest in 2020 and was granted bail. Public Accountability: A parliamentary committee says weak oversight of medicinal cannabis licensing has cost Lesotho millions, with about 75 companies reportedly failing to pay licence fees. Government Services: Identity registry staff in Ha Mabote are working from an unsecured shack, raising concerns about conditions and the safety of official documents.

Regional Leadership: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane has been elected incoming chair of SADC’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, giving Lesotho a leading role in regional peace and security. Election Spending: The IEC admitted it broke financial rules by diverting M80 million in unspent election funds to buy its Maseru West headquarters. The Public Accounts Committee is questioning Minister Richard Ramoeletsi’s role in the deal. Court Case: Prime Minister’s adviser Joseph Jankie Setšabi has been charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a priest in 2020. He was granted bail and says he is ready for trial. Public Finance: A parliamentary committee says weak oversight of medicinal cannabis licences cost Lesotho millions in potential revenue, with about 75 companies allegedly owing licence fees. Education Rights: Activists have taken Education Minister Ntoi Rapapa to the Constitutional Court, seeking to prevent schools from barring learners from classes or final exams over unpaid fees.

Regional Leadership: Prime Minister Sam Matekane has been elected incoming chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, giving Lesotho a key role in regional peace and security. IEC Spending Probe: The electoral commission admitted it broke financial management rules by diverting M80 million in unspent election funds to buy its Maseru West headquarters. The Public Accounts Committee is examining the purchase, with Law and Justice Minister Richard Ramoeletsi’s role questioned. Court Case: Matekane’s advisor Joseph Jankie Setšabi has been charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a female priest in 2020. He was released on bail and says he is ready for trial. Cannabis Oversight: A parliamentary committee says Lesotho has lost millions in potential medicinal-cannabis revenue, citing weak monitoring and about 75 companies that failed to pay licence fees. Public Services: Identity-card registry staff in Ha Mabote are working from an insecure, cramped shack, raising concerns about conditions and the safety of official documents.

Regional Security: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane has been elected incoming chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, giving Lesotho a leading role in regional peace and security efforts. Investment Drive: Lesotho has opened a trade and investment forum in London to promote the country and build business ties with the UK. Defence Procurement: The army commander is in China as the Lesotho Defence Force reportedly prepares a M50 million uniform purchase without a tender; the allegations have not been independently verified. Press Freedom: Journalist and human rights activist Kananelo Boloetse is urging the government to establish an inquiry into his abduction, saying official statements have undermined his confidence in the response. Mineworker Benefits: The government is running an outreach campaign to help former and current mineworkers claim unpaid benefits and avoid fraud. Jobs and Skills: Trade Minister Motlatsi Maqelepo says the government will work with the education ministry to align vocational training with employers’ needs and broaden the economy beyond textiles.

Regional Diplomacy: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane has been elected incoming chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, giving Lesotho a leading role in regional peace and security. Jobs and Skills: Trade Minister Motlatsi Maqelepo says government and business must turn partnership into action, including aligning vocational training with factory needs and diversifying beyond textiles. Economic Outlook: The IMF forecasts Lesotho’s growth will slow to 0.8% in 2027, raising concerns about job creation and household incomes. Press Freedom: Journalist Kananelo Boloetse is urging a commission of inquiry into his abduction last month, saying public statements by police and government officials have undermined his confidence in the investigation. Workers’ Rights: A government outreach campaign will help current and former mineworkers claim unpaid benefits and guard against fraud.

Regional Security: Lesotho has been elected to chair the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, giving it a leading role in regional diplomacy, conflict resolution and security efforts. Press Freedom: Journalist and human rights activist Kananelo Boloetse is urging the government to establish an inquiry into his abduction last month, saying public comments by police officials and the police minister have damaged his confidence in the investigation. Economic Outlook: The IMF forecasts Lesotho’s growth will slow to 0.8% in 2027, raising concerns about jobs, incomes and poverty as major water-project activity winds down. Government Services: Lesotho is developing an AI chatbot to give farmers practical advice, while the Labour Ministry is running an outreach campaign to help mineworkers and their families claim unpaid benefits.

Mineworkers’ Benefits: Lesotho’s government is taking a two-week campaign nationwide to help former and current mineworkers claim unpaid benefits, and warns them not to pay people offering unofficial help. Digital Agriculture: The government is developing an AI chatbot to give farmers practical advice, while advancing plans to turn research into solutions for national needs. Economic Outlook: The IMF projects Lesotho’s growth will slow to 0.8% in 2027, raising concerns about jobs, incomes and poverty. Connectivity: Vodacom Lesotho has urged a coordinated response to vandalism of telecom sites, warning that damaged networks disrupt emergency calls, learning and public services. Cross-Border Corruption: Lesotho’s DCEO has partnered with Interpol to track corrupt suspects across borders.

Mineworker Benefits: Lesotho’s Labour Ministry has launched a two-week campaign to help former and current mineworkers claim unpaid benefits, while warning them against fraudsters posing as agents. Digital Government: A new government AI chatbot is being developed to give farmers practical advice, part of a wider push to turn research into solutions for national challenges. Economic Outlook: The IMF projects growth will slow to 0.8% in 2027, raising concerns about job creation and household incomes. Public Services: Vodacom Lesotho is calling for a coordinated response to vandalism that damages network infrastructure and disrupts essential services. Election Readiness: The IEC says preparations for the 2026 local government elections are on track and has promised a glitch-free vote. Jobs and Accountability: More than 25,000 people reportedly applied for 500 police posts, highlighting pressure in the job market; meanwhile, the DCEO is partnering with INTERPOL to track corruption suspects across borders.

Parliamentary Scrutiny: Prime Minister Sam Matekane is due to face questions from MPs for the first time since taking office in 2022, after Speaker Tlohang Sekhamane ordered him to appear in the National Assembly. The ruling has reportedly unsettled members of Matekane’s party. Economic Outlook: The IMF projects Lesotho’s growth will slow to 0.8% in 2027, well below the forecast for sub-Saharan Africa, raising concerns about jobs, incomes and poverty. Essential Services: Vodacom Lesotho is calling for a coordinated national response to vandalism of telecom sites, warning that damaged networks disrupt emergency calls, digital learning and public services.

Parliamentary Accountability: Prime Minister Sam Matekane is due before MPs on Tuesday for the first time since taking office in 2022. Speaker Tlohang Sekhamane invoked standing orders requiring the prime minister to answer questions, despite reported unease within Matekane’s party. Jobs Pressure: More than 25,000 people applied for 500 Lesotho Mounted Police Service posts, starkly highlighting the competition for work among young Basotho. Mineworker Benefits: The government has begun a two-week nationwide outreach to help former mineworkers and their families claim unpaid retirement and injury benefits, while warning against fee-charging scammers. Anti-Corruption: Lesotho’s DCEO has secured access to INTERPOL databases to help investigators verify travel documents and track suspects across borders. Judicial Watch: The Court of Appeal has reserved its ruling on whether a judge should have recused herself from a double-murder trial, after the convicted man challenged her earlier involvement in a dispute with the victims.

Parliamentary Accountability: Speaker Tlohang Sekhamane has ordered Prime Minister Sam Matekane to face MPs on October 20 for the first time since taking office in 2022, enforcing Parliament’s question session despite reported unease within the ruling RFP. Jobs Pressure: More than 25,000 people applied for 500 police posts, underscoring the scarcity of jobs for young Basotho. Courts and Public Service: The Court of Appeal is due to rule on whether Justice ‘Maseforo Mahase should have recused herself from a double-murder trial. Acting school principals are also asking the court for permanent appointments and unpaid allowances. Anti-Corruption: Lesotho’s DCEO gained access to INTERPOL databases to help track suspects and detect fraudulent documents. Separately, a South African border official was arrested at the Maseru post over an alleged scheme involving 22 stamped Lesotho passports. Foreign Relations: Lesotho reaffirmed the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination at the UN, while Lesotho and Oman established diplomatic relations.

Parliamentary Accountability: Prime Minister Sam Matekane is expected to face questions from MPs on Tuesday for the first time since taking office in 2022, after Speaker Tlohang Sekhamane ordered him to appear. Jobs Pressure: More than 25,000 people have applied for 500 police posts, highlighting the scale of youth unemployment. Courts and Public Service: Acting school principals are asking the Court of Appeal for permanent appointments and unpaid allowances. Foreign Affairs official Thabang Lekhela also faces a contempt application over alleged failure to comply with court orders concerning a former diplomat’s benefits. Anti-Corruption: Lesotho’s DCEO has partnered with INTERPOL to access international criminal databases and help track suspects and identify forged documents. Foreign Policy: At the UN, Lesotho reaffirmed the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and called for respect for human rights.

Parliamentary Accountability: Prime Minister Sam Matekane is expected to face MPs’ questions on Tuesday for the first time since taking office in 2022, after Speaker Tlohang Sekhamane ordered him to appear. Jobs Pressure: More than 25,000 people have applied for 500 police posts, underscoring the scale of youth unemployment. Courts and Public Service: Acting school principals are asking the Court of Appeal for permanent appointments and overdue allowances, while a senior Foreign Affairs official faces a contempt application over alleged breaches of court orders involving a former diplomat. Anti-Corruption: The DCEO has secured access to INTERPOL databases to help investigate suspects and detect fraudulent travel documents. Separately, a South African border official at the Maseru crossing was arrested over alleged corruption and possession of 22 stamped Lesotho passports. Census Dispute: About 450 temporary census workers are seeking overdue wages and allowances, and have asked Parliament to intervene.