News

Blissful ignorance

Published

5 years ago

July 7, 2020

MACHACHE-FOR the past six months, Libe Tjobi, a livestock herder, has been living the normal life. When the whole world moved to adopt “a new normal” to slow the spread of Covid-19, Tjobi and almost every member of his community continued with the old – unperturbed and in blissful ignorance.

Covid-19 has been around for months now and many people globally have been forced to change their habits while adopting new behaviours such as regularly washing hands, wearing face masks and maintaining social distance to protect themselves from the virus.

But for Tjobi and almost everyone in his community of cattle herders, the only time they got to know about the dangers of coronavirus in detail was at a meeting this week. Despite campaigns by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and non-governmental organisations to “to reach everyone”, it seems cattle herders are some of those who have been left behind.

“I have been sharing cigarettes and bottles of alcohol (with friends) not knowing the dangers I was putting both my friends and I in,” says the 24-year old from Ha-Ratau.
The only information Tjobi had on Covid-19 was through hearsay before the meeting organised by Monna-Ka-Khomo or the Lesotho Herdboys Association.

“Everyone had different explanations. I was so confused that I ended up not believing its existence,” he says. “I have learnt a lot from this meeting. It was worth it and I am glad I was part of it.”

“This seems to be the new normal… I do not know how long it will last,” he says, promising to start practising precautionary measures he learnt from an environmental health professional who was part of the meeting.
The Ministry of Health and other stakeholders should involve herders in their campaigns, Tjobi says.

“We should not be left behind just because we are herd boys. We are also human beings after all,” he says.
Lekhotso Malebonyane, who was part of the meeting, says he heard of Covid-19 from church, although he is not sure how to adequately protect himself.

“I know that it exists and as an elderly person I am in more danger than the youngsters,” said the 83-year-old.
“I will try to wash my hands regularly with running water even though water is still a challenge here. I will try to do all that’s been advised to protect my family,” Malebonyane says.

He calls on the government to ramp up its communication efforts by using methods and languages understood by grassroots communities.
“This can come in very handy during this crisis,” says Malebonyane, who says he would take to knitting facemasks following the awareness meeting.
Ha-Ratau Chief, Mahlomola Theko commended the herd boys’ association for spreading the message on Covid-19 and donating face masks to the marginalised cattle herders.

“I believe they (cattle herders) will spread the message amongst themselves. They are mostly forgotten even though they take care of our villages,” he says, noting that the government has so far neglected cattle herders.
“All I see are good Samaritans assisting here,” he says. “They are easily misled as they often lack factual information, they need continuous trainings for them to grasp the facts,” he said.

Environmental Health at District Level officer ’Matšoanelo Thibathiba says Covid-19 “is very dangerous and it can affect anyone”.
“We should know that corona exists and we have confirmed cases in the country. We should protect ourselves,” she says, warning that the onset of the winter season could see cases of infection rising rapidly.

She says Covid-19 shows its signs after two to fourteen days.
“Our bodies are different hence it may show after different days from all of us,” she says.
She encouraged the cattle headers to regularly and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water, keeping a distance of at least one metre apart, avoiding crowded places and avoiding touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
“Nature will always demand that one touches the very same thing but please try as much as possible to avoid it,” she says, encouraging the cattle herders to seek medical attention from their nearest health centres if they exhibit any signs of fever, cough and breathing difficulties.

“This will also protect two parties and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections,” Thibathiba says.
She urged them to report people coming abroad to the chief, health workers or councillor regardless of the relationship they have with those people.
“It is your responsibility to protect yourselves,” she says also urging them to abandon practices such as sharing cigarettes, bottles of beer and exchanging handshakes.

“It is for our own good,” she says.
Lesotho Herdboys Association (Monna-ka-khomo) chairman Motlalentoa Hlehlisi says the meeting was the first in a series as part of a risk communication campaign initiated by the organisation.

“We did it after realising that they were left behind. We want to protect them. We wish to reach to all the districts but due to lack of funds, we might not succeed,” he says.

Hlehlisi advises herdboys to use their balaclavas carefully.
“Don’t take advantage and commit crimes hiding behind it. Use them for their intended purposes, for your protection,” he says.

He says the organisation has been working with livestock herders from Ratau “for some time now” and described them as “attentive”.
He says the campaign was “very successful” even though they had to try to stick to 50 people as per the former Prime Minister’s call.
“There are so many herd boys here,” he says.

Ministry of Health Incident Manager, Dr Llang Maama, says the government has recruited and trained more nurses, doctors and other health personnel as well as established quarantine centres as part of a response plan.

The ministry’s risk communication department has formulated messages about Covid-19.
“Through that department we managed to formulate a few messages, some of them were printed on cars and distributed to different health facilities,” she says.

Some of the messages are being spread through media outlets such as television, radio and newspapers, most which are, however, out of reach of cattle herders.

She says getting adequate funding on time was one of the biggest challenges and some “Good Samaritans” have assisted with flyers, pamphlets, banners and billboards.
She says the ministry also empowered councillors and chiefs to go back to their communities and spread the message around.

“We learn everyday… things keep changing. At first there were no masks but now we have to teach people about the importance of wearing masks. Nothing is written on a stone, things keep changing based on the circumstances,” she says.

“Mosotho should know why they have to wash hands, wear a mask even when the police officer is not watching to avoid putting other people’s lives at risk,” says Maama, noting that it has been tough to get people to change their behaviour.

“We are not done educating the people as yet,” she says.
Development for Peace Education (DPE)’s Education Researcher Lemohang Molibeli says since the last week of March, the department “has been busy” with preparations for Covid-19 outreach activities.

He says they had discussions with artistes on March 31.
On the same day, he says artistes started their rehearsals and showcased their first performance at the Command Centre under the Ministry of Health and NECC members on April 2.

Molibeli says they trained people for community outreach at Senekane Council. In between, he says, there were radio and TV programmes where the organisation was spreading awareness to councillors.

“We empowered communities with information,” says Molibeli, adding that the department is developing digital messaging to the DPE areas for public consumption.

‘Mapule Motsopa

News

Knives out for Molelle

Published

6 days ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

KNORX Molelle’s appointment as the Director General of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) in February 2023 could have been illegal.

The Law Society of Lesotho has told Prime Minister Sam Matekane that Molelle was appointed without being admitted as a legal practitioner in Lesotho, as required by law.

The society claims the information came from a whistleblower on January 2 and was corroborated by its roll of legal practitioners in Lesotho.

The society says the appointment violates section 4 of the Prevention of Corruption and Economic Offences Act 1999 which states that a person shall not be appointed as the DCEO director general unless they have been admitted as a legal practitioner in terms of the Legal Practitioners Act.

In the letter, Advocate Ithabeleng Phamotse, the society’s secretary, tells Matekane that this requirement “is not a mere procedural formality but a substantive qualification essential to the lawful appointment of the Director General”.

“The absence of such qualification fatally impairs the appointment ab initio, rendering it null and void from the outset,” Advocate Phamotse says in the letter written on Tuesday.

The society argues that if left unaddressed the illegality undermines the credibility, effectiveness and legality of the DCEO’s operations and exposes the kingdom to serious risks, including challenges to the lawfulness of decisions and actions made by Molelle.

“Should it be confirmed that the appointment was made in contravention of the mandatory legal requirements,” Advocate Phamotse said, “we respectfully urge you to take immediate corrective action to rectify this glaring irregularity”.

Advocate Phamotse tells the prime minister that if the appointment is not corrected, the society would be “left with no alternative but to institute legal proceedings to protect the interests of justice and uphold the rule of law in Lesotho”.

“We trust that you will accord this matter your highest priority and act decisively to avert further damage to the integrity of our governance structures.”

The Prime Minister’s spokesman, Thapelo Mabote, said they received the letter but Matekane had not yet read it yesterday.

Matekane is on leave and is expected back in the office on January 14.

Questions over the validity of his appointment come as Molelle is being haunted by the damaging audio clips that were leaked last week.

The clips were clandestinely recorded by Basotho National Party leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe.

In some of the clips, Molelle appears to be describing Matekane and his deputy Justice Nthomeng Majara as idiots. He also appears to be calling Law Minister Richard Ramoeletsi a devil.

In other clips, he seems to be discussing cases. thepost has not independently verified the authenticity of the audio clips.

Staff Reporter

News

Massive salary hike for chiefs

Published

6 days ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

THE government has increased the salaries for traditional leaders by a massive 88.5 percent.

This means that a village chief not appointed by a gazette will now earn M3 001 a month, up from the previous salary of M1 592. That means village chiefs will now earn an extra M1 409 per month.

A village chief, or headman, appointed by a gazette has moved from M1 966 to M3 567 per month.

Above a village chief is one with jurisdiction over a small cluster of villages, a category three chief, who now moves from M3 768 to M5 181 per month.

A category four chief, known as ward chief, has moved from M4 455 per month to M7 993.

The category five chief, who reports directly to a principal chief, will now earn M10 674, up from M9 939 per month.

There is no increment for principal chiefs.

The government says the budget for chiefs’ salaries has moved from M129.4 million to M208.3 million annually.

The hike follows a series of discussions between the Lesotho Workers Association, representing the chiefs, and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship.

The revised salaries will be implemented with effect from April 1, 2025.

According to the settlement agreement, a discussion about raising the lowest salary of M6 000 for the lowest-ranking chiefs will be revisited in October 2025.

Chiefs who spoke to thepost have expressed satisfaction with the hike, saying it will significantly improve their lives.

Chief Mopeli Matsoso of Ha-Tikoe in Maseru said his previous salary of M1 500 per month would now be doubled, which would improve his life and help provide smoother services to the community.

He stressed that they used to close the offices while going out looking for jobs to compensate for their little salaries.

“Now the people will get smoother services,” Chief Matsoso said.

“The offices will forever be open,” he said.

Chief Matsoso said the salary hike will also serve as a motivation for other chiefs.

Chief Tumo Majara of Liboping, Mokhethoaneng, also expressed his gratitude.

Chief Majara acknowledge the positive impact the salary review would have, especially as a new officeholder.

“I guess we are all happy, that review will help a lot,” he said.

The Principal Chief of Thaba-Bosiu, Khoabane Theko, said the salary increase of chief is a welcome move by the government.

“I’m yet to study how the new salary structure looks like. But I welcome it as a good move by the government,”Chief Theko said.

Nkheli Liphoto

News

Maqelepo says suspension deeply flawed

Published

6 days ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

Motlatsi Maqelepo, the embattled Basotho Action Party (BAP) deputy leader and Tello Kibane, who was the party chairman, have rejected their suspension from the party arguing it was legally flawed.

The BAP’s central executive committee on Tuesday suspended Maqelepo for seven years and Kibane for five years. The suspensions became effective on the same day.

The party’s disciplinary committee which met last Wednesday had recommended an expulsion for the two but that decision was rejected with the committee pushing for a lengthy suspension.

Maqelepo’s suspension will end on January 7, 2032 while Kibane’s will run until January 7, 2030.

Their suspension letters from the BAP deputy secretary general Victoria Qheku, say they should not participate in any of the party’s activities.

“In effect, you are relieved of your responsibility as a CEC member and BAP deputy leader,” Maqelepo was told in the letter.

“You were found guilty by default on all charges and the committee recommended your immediate dismissal from the party,” the letter reads.

On Kibane, the verdict states that the committee decided to mitigate the recommended sanction by reducing his suspension to five years.

“In the gravity of the charges, the suspension affects your membership in the BAP parliamentary caucus from which you are removed as a chairman.”

They were suspended in absentia after they refused to attend the disciplinary hearing, which they said was illegal.

In response to the suspension, Maqelepo wrote a letter addressing the BAP members in general, defying the committee’s decision to suspend them.

He has called for a special conference, appealing to party constituencies to push for it, citing the ongoing internal fight that includes the leadership’s decision to withdraw the BAP from the coalition government.

Maqelepo also said the central executive committee is illegally in a campaign to dissolve committees in the constituencies and replace them with stooges.

He reminded the members that there is a court case pending in the High Court seeking an interdiction to charge them in the party’s structures without approval of the special conference that he is calling.

He said the party leadership should have awaited the outcome of the case before proceeding with any disciplinary action.

“The party that is led by a professor of law continues to do dismissals despite the issue being taken to the courts,” Maqelepo said.

The party leader, Professor Nqosa Mahao, is a distinguished professor of law.

Maqelepo said they would write the central executive committee rejecting its decision to suspend them, saying they will continue taking part in party activities.

He said their fate in the party is in the hands of the special conference.

He appealed to all the party constituencies to continue writing letters demanding the special conference.

Both Maqelepo and Kibane received letters on November 28 last year inviting them to show cause why they should not be suspended pending their hearing.

They both responded on the following day refusing to attend.

Maqelepo, Kibane, Hilda Van Rooyen, and ’Mamoipone Senauoane are accused of supporting a move to remove Professor Mahao from his ministerial position last year.

They were part of the BAP members who asked Prime Minister Sam Matekane to fire Professor Mahao, who at the same time was pushing for the reshuffling of Tankiso Phapano, the principal secretary for the Ministry of Energy.

When Matekane ignored Professor Mahao’s demands, the latter withdrew the BAP from the coalition government much to the fierce resistance of the party’s four MPs.

Maqelepo started touting members from constituencies to call for a special conference to reverse Professor Mahao and the central executive committee’s decision.

The central executive committee issued a circular stopping Maqelepo’s rallies but he continued, with the support of the other MPs.

In the BAP caucus of six MPs, it is only Professor Mahao and ’Manyaneso Taole who are supporting the withdrawal from the government.

Nkheli Liphoto