Retired Brigadier General Naha Kolisang leads the newly elected executive committee after years of stalled leadership and declining international performance.
The Lesotho Taekwondo Association (LTA) has elected a new executive committee, with retired army Brigadier General Naha Kolisang becoming president unopposed. This marks the end of a prolonged period of instability that saw the association struggle to hold elections since 2020, following the end of Moorosana Nkesi's term. Previous attempts were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent disputes over club eligibility, which led to court challenges and the establishment of an interim committee in 2023, also headed by Kolisang.
Kolisang, a former international taekwondo athlete, acknowledged the sport's diminished status in Lesotho, which was once a regional leader and the second-most sponsored sport after football. He pledged to work with the new team to restore its former glory, emphasizing rebuilding unity, transparency, good governance, and athlete development. The interim committee has already developed strategic frameworks, and Kolisang highlighted the continued activity of clubs and schools as a strong foundation for rebuilding.
The leadership vacuum and controversies significantly impacted taekwondo's popularity and the number of elite athletes competing internationally. Kolisang aims to secure funding through sustainable partnerships with stakeholders to achieve international success. He noted that despite the association's challenges, clubs like Butha-Buthe Taekwondo Club have continued to participate in and perform well at international events, indicating a resilient base of young athletes.
Why it mattersLesotho taekwondo athletes and clubs are affected by the new leadership's commitment to rebuilding unity, governance, and athlete development after years of instability.
Read in ASJ →Lehlohonolo Selate, accused of M50 million fraud, was apprehended in South Africa after absconding Lesotho trials.
Lehlohonolo Selate, an alleged mastermind behind a M50 million fraud, has been arrested in South Africa. Selate had absconded from his trials in Lesotho since March and is currently held at Kroonstad Prison. He faces charges in South Africa related to laundering the proceeds of the alleged M50 million fraud through South African banks.
Selate is one of several individuals accused in a case involving the alleged theft of over M50 million from Lesotho's Ministry of Finance. The group is charged with defrauding the ministry by purporting to pay for services rendered to the government for their personal gain between October 2020 and September 2021. Selate had previously fled to South Africa in 2018 following a warrant for his arrest in a separate M17 million fraud case.
While out on bail for the M50 million case, Selate is challenging the warrants underpinning Lesotho's extradition bid. He argues that the warrants, issued in March and May 2026 by the Maseru Magistrates Court, were unlawfully obtained. He was previously released from remand in March 2023 after spending longer than the statutory period without being brought to trial.
Why it mattersLehlohonolo Selate is accused of defrauding the Ministry of Finance of M50 million, impacting government funds and potentially public services.
Read in ASJ →A hospital employee admitted to the Public Accounts Committee that she never took the required nursing exam to obtain her certificate.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered the Lesotho Nursing Council (LNC) Registrar to revoke the nursing assistant certificate of Mantsane Likotsi, an employee at Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH). Likotsi admitted during a PAC inquiry that she never sat for the required nursing licensure examination. The committee also directed QMMH Human Resources Manager to terminate Likotsi’s employment due to the alleged fraudulent acquisition of her certificate.
Likotsi stated that she obtained her practising certificate from the LNC with the assistance of her ex-husband, Khotso Matabane, who is described as an ABC-linked politician. She claimed Matabane arranged for her certificate and helped her secure employment during the COVID-19 pandemic at quarantine centers. Likotsi expressed fear for her life, citing threats from Matabane after questioning the certificate's origin and a subsequent dispute following their divorce.
The LNC confirmed that Likotsi’s registration is invalid and is in the process of revocation, though the PAC expressed concern over the council’s perceived reluctance. The Lesotho Mounted Police Service is investigating the alleged fraud. Under the Nursing and Midwifery Act, candidates must pass licensure examinations before registration to practice.
Why it mattersA hospital employee's nursing assistant certificate was ordered revoked after she admitted to obtaining it without passing the required examination, affecting her employment and professional standing.
Read in ASJ →Lesotho's top off-road rider targets a top-three finish in the Silver category at the upcoming Roof of Africa event.
Sechaba Chabeli, Lesotho's leading off-road motorcyclist, is focused on securing a podium position in the Silver category at the 2026 Roof of Africa, scheduled for September 24-26 in Maseru. This year's event is part of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. Chabeli, who finished ninth in the Silver class last year with a time of 12:16:09, sees this as a significant opportunity to improve on his previous results, especially after missing the 2024 race due to injury.
Chabeli expressed confidence in his preparations, citing support from local and South African companies that have provided him with a new bike. He stated his intention to remain in the Silver category until he achieves his podium goal before considering a move to the more challenging Gold class. Despite the event being held in Lesotho, local riders have historically faced difficulties reaching the podium, with Patrick Andrews being the only local winner in the Gold category in 1992.
Several other Basotho riders will compete across different categories, including Katleho Tlhaole in Silver, and Besele Malekane, Shabeer Moosa, Timello Tsolo, and Ulrich Popp in Bronze. Veterans like Moosa and Andrews, along with newcomers like Khala Nko, are expected to contribute to the local challenge. The event will also feature returning champion Wade Young and defending Gold category winner James Moore.
Why it mattersSechaba Chabeli is affected by the Roof of Africa event as he aims for a podium finish in the Silver category, which is his stated goal.
Read in ASJ →Lifofane coach Nkosana Mabena cites the loss of 60 percent of his starting lineup as the reason for the team's difficult 2026/27 season start.
Lifofane coach Nkosana Mabena stated that rebuilding the squad after losing key players during the transfer window will take time, impacting the team's ability to match last season's second-place finish in the Vodacom Premier League. The Buthe-Buthe-based side has struggled, drawing their opener 1-1 and losing 4-0 last weekend. Notable departures include Khotso Molelengoane, Neo Motsamai, and Monyane Senatla, with star midfielder Sello Japhta also expected to leave.
Mabena explained that the club's limited resources make it difficult to retain talent, with many players moving to other teams. He noted that the team's success last season was unexpected, and this year, opponents are better prepared. "We are a small village team without resources," Mabena said, highlighting the challenge of integrating new players into a cohesive unit.
Despite the setbacks, Mabena is committed to working for better results, acknowledging the presence of many new faces in the starting lineup. He expressed that expectations should be tempered given the team's current rebuilding phase. Meanwhile, the Lesotho Premier League Management Committee confirmed that most league matches will proceed as scheduled this weekend, with the exception of the defending champions Lijabatho's fixture.
Why it mattersLifofane's football team is affected by player transfers, impacting their performance and ability to compete effectively in the current season.
Read in ASJ →