MASERU- After experiencing one of their worst-ever performances in topflight football—ending the first round of the  2011/12 season in ninth position on the 12-team log table—former Premier League champions Lioli have vowed to fare much better in the reverse fixtures which get underway tomorrow.

Lioli only managed three wins and four draws in their eleven  first-round matches, but club spokesperson Moeketsi Pitso says the TY outfit are ready to put the past behind them and roll in the second round. Pitso has further revealed the reason why the team fared so poorly was a split into two camps among the players due to the presence of five foreign players—from Cameroon and the DRC—at the club.

“The team had a very difficult time during the first round mainly because we brought four foreign players into the team (adding to one foreign player already at the club) and that negatively affected some of our players’ performance. We ended up having two camps in the club, one in favour of the foreigners and one against them. So team-play was effectively non-existent.

“While some players were unhappy that some of their friends were losing places in the team because of the arrival of foreign players, others were disturbed by the perceived high salaries of the foreign players. Yet the truth is there are local players at the club who still earn salaries that can match those of the foreigners.

“But we have since sat down with the concerned players to resolve the matter amicably, and they have promised to deliver for the team this time around,” Pitso told Public Eye in an interview on Tuesday this week.

“All the departments here at Lioli are, once again, working together to restore the image of the club. The results of this new consensus could be seen in our last match of the first round, where we beat Bantu 1-0 in their own backyard.

“Add to that the return of Bushy Moletsane from his Botswana club, and you will see that we have enough talent to challenge for league honours. Bushy is a very influential player any coach would want to have in his squad.”

At the start of the season Lioli listed winning, at least, one silverware as their main goal this term. But the team has, so far, lost-out on winning the Vodacom Soccer Spectacular tournament, but Pitso believes the club is still on track to achieve their goal.

“With the kind of quality we have in our squad, and the confusion of the first round behind us, I don’t see any reason why we should not win some silverware this season.”

Meanwhile, colourful youngster Montoeli Sonopo is back at the Teyateyaneng club. According to Pitso, Sonopo’s move to Spanish club Atlético Madrid was cut short following indications the 18-year-old midfielder could not stand the severely cold weather conditions in Spain. The Lesotho international had reportedly only trained for three days with the club, and returned home on Monday this week.

“He may return in the summer if the club is still interested in him,” Pitso said.

MASERU-Vodacom Premier League champions, LCS, last Sunday attended a prayer service at the St James Anglican Church seeking divine intervention in tomorrow’s CAF Champions League preliminary round, first leg clash against SC Uganda Revenue Authority in Kampala.

The club’s marketing officer, Makoanyane Letsie, on Monday this week told Public Eye the service was specifically to pray for success in the continental competition.

“We took the whole team to morning service at the St James Anglican Church in Maseru yesterday for blessings ahead of our Champions League clash with URA,” Letsie said.

LCS would be taking part in the competition for only the  second time, after a forgettable debut in 2008, in which they were hammered 4-1 in the preliminary round, by modest South African side, Platinum Stars.

The Lesotho champions wade into the weekend tie after just one international friendly—against South African Premier League side Free State Stars, who beat them 3-1 at home two weeks ago.

Coach Mosholu Mokhothu believes lack of international friendly matches could adversely affect his charges, but  Letsie insists there was nothing the team management could do about it.

“We tried to arrange several international friendly games, but could not. We were hoping to play more South African  teams, only to be told they could not since they were preparing for the start of the second round of their season,” Letsie said.

Meanwhile, LCS left for Kampala on Wednesday this week, and play the return leg on the weekend March 2-4 at the Setsoto Stadium.

LCS Champions League squad

Goalkeepers: Kholuoe Phasumane, Sam Ketsekile

Defenders: Moitheri Ntobo, Paseka Moroanyane, Tšepo George, Khoto Sesinyi, Katleho Lethabela, Selebalo Moshoeshoe

Midfielders: Ralekoti Mokhahlane, Lieta Lehloka, Relebohile Raotsi, Kutloisiso Nthonyana, Tšepo Rantaitsana and Tšeliso Khali

Strikers: Lawrence Molengoane, Thulo Ranchobe, Thabane Rankara, Motlatsi Rantja

MASERU -The 2011/12 Vodacom Premier League second round kicks-off tomorrow with some standout fixtures in Maseru.

Resurgent and fourth-placed Matlama face police outfit LMPS—who are on position eight on the 12-team Premiership tale—at the LCS Ground in Maseru, while second-from-bottom Majantja welcome Linare in Mohale’s Hoek. In another match scheduled for tomorrow, basement-side  FC Likhopo entertain ninth-placed Lioli at the Ratjomose Ground in Maseru.

On Sunday, seventh-placed Bantu lock horns with Premiership rookies and sixth-placed  Mpharane Celtics in Mafeteng, while Maduma—on position five—take on third-placed Joy in Khukhune, Butha-Buthe.

Only current log-leaders, LDF are inactive this weekend, as their match against  defending champions, LCS, had to be postponed as the latter are in Uganda for a CAF Champions League preliminary round, first leg clash with Uganda  Revenue Authority .

Meanwhile, in the first round Vodacom Premier League matches, Matlama and LMPS drew 1-1, Lioli beat Likhopo 1-0, Majantja lost 1-0 to Linare, Bantu edged Celtics 2-1, Joy hammered Maduma 2-0, while LDF pipped LCS 2-1.

MASERU- Crack long-distance runner Moeketsi Mosuhli has twice participated in the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, but has not been able to clinch the grueling 56-km event—one of South Africa’s premier  races.

In 2010, Mosuhli came second in the competition whose winner walks away M250 000-richer, while obtaining fourth position in 2011. But this year, Mosuhli —who won the Nedbank Soweto Marathon in 2008, and came second in the same event last year—is eyeing pole position in the Two Oceans come April 7.

“I believe I can win the Two Oceans marathon, and this is the year in which I hope to make that dream come true. That is why  I have already started preparations for the race; right now, I’m from my morning training sessions,” Mosuhli  told Public Eye on Tuesday this week. “So far, the progress is good and I can feel the fitness slowly coming back. I have no injury concerns at the moment, but have to be on the lookout as I go along.”

As part of his preparations for the marathon that takes place in Cape Town, the Quthing-born athlete participated in the 12-km  national cross-country competition held in Lepereng, Maseru, last month.

“I will also take part in shorter-distance races ahead of the Two Oceans, in order to build stamina.”

MASERU-The Lesotho Taekwondo Association is—once again—experiencing financial problems ahead of the World Junior Taekwondo Championship set for Cairo, Egypt in April this year.

This follows last month’s failure by the association to send athletes to the 2012 London Olympic Games qualifiers held in the Egyptian capital, largely due to lack of funds.

According to organisation’s spokesperson, Likhama Leuta, it was “highly possible” that Lesotho may not be represented in the upcoming World Junior Championship due to the same financial problems.

“We are not sure whether or not, we will be sending athletes to the championship because the association is currently broke,” Leuta said.

“We intend to send ten athletes— five boys and five girls— but we can’t even help them prepare for the competition due to the financial crisis the association finds itself in.”

The taekwondo annual budget from the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission is M200 000, which Leuta said was too little. “The money is just too little for us. It is not even enough for one international outing,” he said.

MASERU- Star heptathlon Selloane Tšoaeli is in Mauritius for intensive preparations ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games scheduled for July 27-August 12 in London.

Tšoaeli—who has also represented the country in javelin, hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, sprints, and 800-metre races—left the country on Tuesday this week, and is one of five athletes the Lesotho National Olympic Committee has earmarked for training scholarships in preparation for the London Games.

The Lesotho Amateur Athletics Association spokesperson, Mr Sejanamane Maphathe, on Tuesday this week, expressed confidence in the athlete who made history by winning a gold medal at the 2010 African Senior Athletics Championships held in Nairobi, Kenya.

“Selloane is leaving for specialised training in Mauritius, where she will remain until June. She is starting her preparations for the Olympics, and I have no doubt with this kind of training, she can perform well at the Games,” Maphathe said.

Fellow athlete, Mosito Lehata, did not travel with Tšoaeli as he still has to sort-out his residence permit, Maphathe added.

“Mosito is currently sorting out his residence permit to stay in Mauritius while he continues with his academic studies. As soon as he has secured the permit, he will join Tšoaeli in Mauritius.”

Both Lehata and Tšoaeli underwent similar training in Mauritius last year before the world athletics championships, and All-Africa Games.

MASERU- Fireworks are expected tomorrow when the National Basketball League log-leaders Shines, face second and third-placed KTA All Stars and Lerotholi Polytechnic respectively at the Lerotholi Polytechnic Grounds.

Shines lead the nine-team league with 23 points from12 matches, while All Stars and Lerotholi both have 22 points from 12 and 14 games, respectively.

According to the Lesotho Basketball Association spokesperson, Modupe Ratšolo, Saturday’s fixtures could decide the 2011/12 champions, albeit still with four matches to go for most teams.

“The weekend games are probably going to decide this season’s champion. The difference between these three teams is just one point, and surely each one of them is bracing for war,” said Ratšolo.

In addition to the two big games, there would be other matches involving Lerotholi Polytechnic and KTA All Stars at the same venue, on the same day.

“LP will also play Lesedi, while All Stars lock horns with Mafokotsane Slammers. Rovers also play Lesedi, whilst  Roma Boys face Bashana Baheso, all at the same venue on the same day,” Rantšo said.

Rantšo added: “The competition is very tight for this year’s title and a Top 4 finish. And you can see it is going to be a grand finale.”

Bra Taks

By Bereng Mpaki

MASERU- Afro-jazz legend Tšepo Tshola—AKA The Village Pope—is producing Takatso Ramakhula’s debut album.

The first single off the album ‘Tlohong (Re tl’o lokisa naha)’ was released to local radio stations last week. The song, whose message is as powerful as its melody, features the Village Pope’s unmistakable voice on backing vocals.

Talking about his involvement with Ramakhula, Tshola said the two met by chance, with the former—popularly known as also known as Bra Taks—mentioning an idea he had of a song.

“We actually met by chance and while we talked, he mentioned an idea about a song he wanted to make. I said something about the idea and that got him inspired to conceptualise the song.

“We met again when he had completed the song. I listened to it and I liked the work he had done and decided we needed to get to the studio to rework it. And I am happy with the final outcome,” said Tshola in an interview with Public Eye.

The afro-jazz song is a plea to all Basotho from around the world to come home and reclaim their country which is ‘disintegrating’. It uses strong imagery of a chronic disease which is sweeping across the country.

The song was part of an unreleased album by Ramakhula, named Toilet Peace— a mixture of music and comedy. But according to Tšola, the entire album would be reworked and should be complete in two months’ time.

“We have decided to rework the whole album. I like the unique loose manner in which Ramakhula sings and we need to incorporate that style into the album.”

Ramakhula himself believes working with the legendary Tshola would enhance his brand.

“I am very excited to be working with this legend. I believe this will confirm my career as an all-round entertainer, because I also do comedy. Last year was strange enough for me when I shared the stage with South African comedy greats, and now this!” said the multi-talented Ramakhula, who is also an actor.

Reggae sessions at the Meloding Club never fail to draw massive crowds

By Bereng Mpaki

MASERU-The Meloding Club in Maseru will next month be the scene of a showdown between the country’s reggae and hip-hop artistes.

The potentially-explosive gig has been set for March 1, with such reggae heavyweights as Reggae Beast, King of Showa and Selekta T taking on hip-hop stars that would include Chocolate Soul and Lithua Majoe. Deejays Ang-Ca and Bingleton are also expected to feature at the show.

According to one of the show’s organisers, Seleka T, the event is an “over-sized version” of the weekly Thursday Night Dancehall Sessions that are held at the Meloding Club.

“The show got its inspiration from our weekly Thursday show that we normally hold at the Meloding Club. We normally play R&B -infused reggae, then later dancehall-reggae and sometimes we have open  sessions for budding reggae artistes.

“For the big show, we decided to expand on that concept by adding local hip-hop into the mix to make it more exciting,” Selekta T told Public Eye.

Selekta T said it was decided to include hip-hop artistes in the gig “because the two genres are known to reflect on social consciousness”.

He added reggae—typified by lyrics grounded in the Rastafarian movement—remained different from other genres because it was spiritual and enlightening, and therefore good for the people.

“Reggae music is more than just a genre. It is an afro-centric way of reflecting on the roots and struggles of life and how they can be addressed.”

MASERU – A 50-year-old Roma man was beaten to death by an angry mob last Sunday after being accused of stealing a chicken belonging to a fellow villager.

The incident took place in the Maama village, according to police spokesperson, Senior Inspector Masupha Masupha.

“We are told the man was found with the chicken after some villagers had gone looking for it following a report by the owner. The man was found with the chicken already slaughtered at his home,” Masuphasaid.

According to Masupha, the mob then severely beat-up the elderly suspect, who was later taken to St Joseph’s Hospital in Roma—only to be confirmed dead upon arrival.

“The man’s body showed he had been severely assaulted; possibly, he died from the beatings. But it is disappointing that a human being could be killed over a chicken.”

The mob is believed to have battered the suspect with sticks, and pelted him with stones until he died, Masupha said.

“Beating a suspect is against the law and those who took part in the killing will face the consequences of their actions.

“When the villagers found thesuspect with the missing chicken, they should have taken him to the police station and allow the courts of law to deal with him accordingly. They have now committed a crime; they are the ones on the wrong side of the law now,” said Masupha, adding nobody had been arrested by Wednesday, and that police investigations were continuing.

“The police have emphasised time and again that no-one should take the law into his or her own hands, but people continue to do it and end-up in prison.”

MASERU-Irate ‘Makoabeng Secondary School students  severely assaulted their deputy principal on Thursday last week after accusing him of being a traitor.

Mr Sebaka Sepono (39) yesterday told Public Eye he had to run for dear life after a mob of students attacked him for allegedly informing the authorities of ‘irregularities’ during last year’s Junior Certificate examinations’ sitting at the school.

The school has reportedly still not received results for the said exams because of the alleged cheating by some students, which has apparently led to bad blood between the concerned learners and certain teachers accused of informing on the alleged irregularities.

Sepono yesterday narrated his brush with death at the hands of the rampaging learners, insisting he would never return to the school, which is situated in Leribe, until there was absolute guarantee of his safety.

“As we speak, I am at home recovering from one of the most brutal beatings you could ever imagine. And the most disappointing thing is the attack was by students who had no proof whatsoever that I had anything to do with the withholding of their results,” Sepono said.

The attack, according to Sepono, took place in full view of parents, teachers and some residents of his home village of ‘Makoabeng, and followed a tense meeting that spelt trouble from the beginning.

“A meeting had been called for parents, teachers, students and members of the school’s board of directors, and top of the agenda was to get feedback from a delegation that had been sent to the Examination Council of Lesotho (ECOL) in Maseru to find out about the Form C results.

“Everyone was tense, and wanted to hear the latest developments concerning the results. Then one of the teachers claimed that I was among the delegation that had gone to ECOL, which was a lie.  In fact, we are not on good terms with that teacher who fingered me among such a hostile crowd, and soon after this, people at the meeting demanded an explanation from me.”

Things, according to Sepono, then turned from bad to worse.

“There was chaos; everyone was shouting and the students started insulting me, using such vulgar words I was stunned. But nobody reprimanded the students as they insulted me and other teachers. I tried to show the chairman of the meeting the importance of focusing on one issue, but was completely ignored. Instead, I was accused of destroying the students’ future for no apparent reason.”

According to Sepono, as soon as the students started insulting him, he was never allowed to make a phone call or go out of the hall where the meeting was being held, even when nature called.

“It was like being in prison; I was never allowed to go out or make a phone call. Eventually, I forced my way out and proceeded to the bathroom, only for someone to shout that I was running away. The students then stormed the bathroom, grabbing me, but I wriggled free and ran out, screaming for help.”

Sepono continued: “I ran for my life, but was not fast enough as the students soon caught-up with me. They used stones and sticks to hit me, and I fell. They punched me repeatedly until some villagers and teachers came to my rescue. But the students said they were not done with me yet; they threatened me with death, and continued to attack me even in the presence of my rescuers.

“I again decided to run as more students were joining in the attack. It was both a painful and humiliating experience—and it all took place in my home village of ‘Makoabeng.”

Sepono insists the beating had allegedly been planned, as no-one rebuked the students during the relentless verbal and physical attack.

“I was shocked when nobody said anything while the students were being so vulgar during the meeting. But I recorded whatever they were saying on my phone as evidence because I could sense there was something sinister in that meeting.”

According to Sepono, teachers at the school were divided into two “camps”.

“One of the factions supports the principal, while the other is with me because we have a common view on certain issues,” Sepono said, adding: “But I know who told the students that I was responsible for their results being withheld. There are students who are ready to give evidence on what really happened during the examination-sitting, but unfortunately, there are those being misled by certain individuals at the school.”

Sepono, who said he joined the school in 2005, denies ever reporting of any alleged cheating by the students.

“Nobody knows me at ECOL; I have never communicated with that office.”

He further said the beating had left him traumatised.

“I reported the matter to the Butha-Buthe police, as well as the education office in Leribe. Things are out of control at that school; I will not go there again, unless my safety is guaranteed.

“There are terrible things happening at that school, but we decide to be professional. In 2010, the school was suspected of the same cheating but the results were released. There was no parents’ meeting last year, so the parents did not know about this suspicion by the ECOL.”

Contacted for comment yesterday, the Education Officer ( Leribe District), Mr Thapelo Mtambo, said he was aware of the case.

“In fact, Mr Sepono reported the case here this morning. We are going to treat this issue with the urgency it deserves because he is not safe at all. We are going to visit the school and get to the bottom of this case as this cannot be accepted in any school. Our office is aware that ECOL is still making its investigations; we understand the students are suspected of cheating during last year’s JC examinations,” said Mtambo.

Meanwhile, several attempts to get a comment from the school principal were unsuccessful yesterday, as her phone was continually on voicemail.

There was no immediate comment from the police, either.

MATELILE- The All Basotho Convention has condemned the recently-enacted law allowing an expectant mother to terminate her pregnancy if the unborn children has serious physical and mental disability.

According to the new Penal Code Act of 2010, abortion remains illegal in Lesotho, unless there is medical evidence the unborn child has serious physical and mental disability.

First to attack the Act was party leader, Mr Tom Thabane, who told scores of ABC supporters attending a rally in Ribaneng last Sunday he never signed international conventions that legalised abortion in Lesotho, while he was foreign affairs minister.

Thabane blasted the Lesotho Congress for Democracy government for allegedly being “reckless” when entering into international agreements, insisting he always put Basotho interests first while he was still part of the administration.

“I never signed those international conventions on abortion laws because I knew where I was coming from as Lesotho’s foreign affairs minister, but the current government has ratified those conventions because it does not care.

“This government is signing these conventions because the leaders have even forgotten our culture as they don’t have the best interests of this country at heart,” said Thabane.

Thabane’s declaration met with a roar of approval from the party supporters, among them ‘Matumelo Tlali, Matieho Motleki and Thabiso Makhejane, who later gave their reasons for condemning the law during separate interviews with Public Eye.

Tlali said: “As a society, it should be clear that we still view abortion as murder, and it is unjust to the disabled as they also have a right to life. Some of the babies who would end-up being killed because of this law, could have gone-on to live a very good life despite their disabilities as everybody is a creation of God and everybody has his or her own calling.”

Tlali further called on the government to show more “concern” for the plight of disabled persons, and not to deny them their right to life.

“Whichever party wins the pending parliamentary elections  should abandon this law, as it could even tear families apart because a couple without a child, disabled or not, has no peace. Doctors are never 100 percent sure about people’s health, and so we should stick to our Christian values and not abort babies,” said Tlali.

Motleki also had no kind words about the new law: “Abortion is not right no matter the circumstances, and reasons given to justify it.

“To Basotho, children are a gift from God and we should embrace them and not terminate pregnancies because of some doctor’s advice.”

Makhejane, on the other hand, said as a Christian, he did not support abortion, under any situation.

“We are known to be a Christian nation, and Christianity does not allow abortion, so I don’t support such a law and I’d like to see it abolished.

“I know it’s hard to accept a child who was the result of rape, but we should not forget what God commands us to do.

“What the government should do is provide adequate healthcare, as well as ensuring cases of rape are dealt with decisively in order to discourage this now-prevalent crime.”

Thabane greeting a ABC youth in Ribaneng rally

By Billy Ntaote

MATELILE – The All Basotho Convention leader Mr Tom Thabane has scoffed at widespread speculation Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili is set to leave the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and form a new party.

Addressing a rally in Ribaneng, Maliepetsane Constituency, last Sunday, Thabane—who is a former member of the LCD and ex-cabinet minister—said forming a new party was no stroll-in-the-park.

Thabane said: “I have heard that people are saying this big one (Mosisili) is going to form a new party. Yet the man is simply failing to openly do so and tell Basotho about the new party, the way we did in 2006 when we formed the ABC, with Molobeli Soulo.

“No, Mr Mosisili, you can’t form your own party, it is not easy. You should just stop there where you inherited that party from Ntsu Mokhehle.”

Thabane also spoke about last week’s failed attempt by the opposition, to pass a no-confidence vote on the Prime Minister, and ‘replace’ him with former communications minister and the LCD secretary general, Mr Mothetjoa Metsing.

“There were threats on radio and TV by ministers, saying people would be expelled from the LCD should such a vote be passed.

“We had decided to go for Metsing because we had found him to be a better candidate compared to all other LCD legislators.

“Unfortunately, they got to him later on, threatening him publicly and fighting against that motion,” Thabane told the rally, adding the opposition still stood by its statement, of having no confidence in the Mosisili government.

“I don’t want him; he has performed poorly. The elderly are poverty-stricken and he can only promise them monthly grants of M300, which is very little to survive on.

“The government also says old-age pensions should be given to those above 70, but I promise you will get those pensions from the age of 60 once the ABC is in power. In addition to that, people will not pay anything at all government hospitals.”

Thabane further said the government had built “a very beautiful” Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital, but claimed its services were far much worse than those that were being provided at the now-defunct Queen Elizabeth II Hospital.

“If you continue electing the LCD to govern, you will never have a tarred road here because their only focus is on this infighting that continues to rock the party, hence why I formed the ABC,” Thabane said, further urging supporters to vote for Steve Molefe in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

…as seven public transport associations make urgent High Court application blocking talks between the government and Maseru Region Taxi Operators that had been scheduled for midmorning  yesterday

By Lekhetho Ntsukunyane

MASERU-The High Court on Wednesday this week issued an interim order blocking a meeting between the Coalition of Concerned Organisations and four cabinet ministers that had been scheduled for midmorning yesterday at an undisclosed venue.

The order followed an application filed by seven taxi associations—the Maseru Star, Lesotho Bus and Minibus Operators, Mabalane, City Centre, Maseru Urban, Sakeng and Maqalika—seeking the cancelation of the said meeting, which, among others, sought to discuss new public transport fares.

The ministers of transport, education, trade and labour, as well as the Coalition of Concerned Organisations, Road Transport Board and Attorney General, were cited as respondents.

The seven associations argue in the application that they had “suffered and are likely to suffer more prejudice at the hands of the 5^th respondent (the coalition), who appears to have held meetings and wants to hold further meetings under what is termed a dialogue, on issues of concern relating, inter alia, to transport in the country.”

The applicants continued: “Justice would have dismally failed, and the law rendered defective in the most material respect, if the fifth respondent—not  being representative of the interests of the transport industry as a whole—is to solely partake on matters affecting the industry as a whole, as all other stakeholders would not have been afforded an opportunity to explain and express themselves on such issues, which also affect them as interested parties though not sharing the same views with the fifth respondent.

“The rights and interests of the applicants as entrenched in the law and protected by relevant bodies such as the sixth respondent (Road Transport Board) are likely to be infringed upon, through the action envisaged by the respondents.”

The application effectively stopped a third-round of talks between the four ministers and the  coalition, whose first and second round meetings took place on February 9 and 13, respectively.

The coalition, which comprises members of the Maseru Region Taxi Operators,  businesspeople, concerned youths, civic groups and trade unions, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government on the 6^th of this month, resulting in the suspension of a proposed three-day job stay-away that been scheduled to begin on February 8.

According to the agreement, the parties were supposed to discuss taxi fares, corruption, regulation of the taxi industry, cross-border monopoly and the implementation of an agreement between the MRTO and the government, which was not explained on the notice of the meetings’ agenda.

But yesterday’s court order, which gave the respondents until February 20 to respond, scuttled this indaba, directing the transport minister and the coalition to “observe and follow provisions of Section 7(1) (a) of The Road Transport Act of 1981 concerning investigation of matters relating to the operation of public motor vehicles including, among others, representational capacity or the extent of membership of associations, before the envisaged dialogue could be held.”

It further directed: “Fifth respondent be held disentitled and lacking the legal standing to represent the interests and rights of all transport operators associations and individuals in the region of Maseru, let alone the entire country.”

Contacted for comment yesterday, the Maseru Star’s Mr Thabiso Tšosane told Public Eye the MRTO was “a mere taxi association like others despite claims it is a mother-body in the taxi industry.

“The last time the ministry passed new taxi fares, the MRTO disputed the charges by themselves  without any consultations with the other taxi associations. As a result, the new fares were suspended for about four months, and we suffered losses as operators because of that. The MRTO claims to be a mother-body, yet their constitution says otherwise.”

The MRTO spokesperson Mr Lebohang Moea, on the other hand, said: “We received the interim court order and of course, complied with it. We were supposed to have proceeded with our meeting with the ministers this morning, but could not do so having noticed this document. We met as the coalition and decided to see our lawyer about this interim court order. We are going to challenge it on or before February 20, in the courts of law. This is just a tactic by some people to demoralise the coalition.”

Home affairs minister Mr Lesao Lehohla

By Lekhetho Ntsukunyane

MASERU- A Maseru-based Ethiopian restaurateur is locked in a bitter dispute with the Ministry of Home Affairs over the latter’s continued refusal to grant him Lesotho citizenship.

Mr Eyob Belay Eyaya Asemie says he arrived in the country in 2003 seeking political asylum, and applied for permanent stay five years later, which the Ministry has refused to grant—reportedly arguing he was under investigation for human trafficking, and unlawful acquisition of a Lesotho passport.

Asemie—who owns a chain of restaurants in Maseru, including the renowned Ouh La La Café—has since brought his case before the Ombudsman, who ruled in his favour on December 29 last year. The Ombudsman also ordered the ministry to grant Asemie citizenship within 30 days of the ruling, but this has not happened, prompting the businessman to seek recourse in the courts of law.

According to the Refugee Act of 1983, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Safety is responsible for the granting of the Lesotho citizenship, in consultation with the Refugee Coordinating Unit. The law further stipulates the refugee, or any applicant for citizenship, must have stayed in Lesotho for a minimum of five years, and should also renounce his or her original citizenship.

Asemie took his case before the Ombudsman, Advocate ’Matšoana Fanana, on December 2 2010, and almost a year later, recommended he be ‘sworn-in’ as a Mosotho.

The Ombudsman stated in her report dated December 29, 2011 a copy of which is in Public Eye’s possession: “He holds a Certificate of Naturalisation duly issued under the hand of the Honourable Minister and the certificate is a conclusive grant of citizenship status to Mr Asemie. Blocking his glorious day to take the oath, and twice for that matter, is a discriminatory act and an abuse of office.”

Asemie’s lawyer, King’s Counsel Salemane Phafane on January 31 this year, wrote to home affairs minister, Mr Lesao Lehohla, complaining about the alleged ill-treatment of his client.

Reads part of the letter: “The attention of the Honourable Minister is once again drawn to the plight of Mr Asemie regarding his swearing-in ceremony. In particular, the Honourable Minister is reminded that twice, the swearing-in of Mr Asemie was frustrated and that some frivolous allegations were brought against him.

“The matter was subsequently dealt with by the Ombudsman in the performance of her statutory functions. The Ombudsman has since handed down her recommendations which are self-explanatory, and have been hand-delivered to the office of the Honourable Minister.

“It would appear that until now, Mr Asemie has not been advised of the date of his swearing-in as recommended by the Ombudsman. This is causing unnecessary anxiety on Mr Asemie and the Honourable Minister is urged to direct that this process be concluded as a matter of urgency.”

The Ombudsman’s report of December 29 2011 indicates Asemie claimed a year after his arrival in Lesotho, he was vetted and subsequently accorded refugee status.

After applying for citizenship, Asemie alleges when he was about to take “an oath of allegiance” in 2010 among fellow applicants, he was “snubbed, shouted at and humiliated and told to leave the ceremony hall or else the police would be called” to throw him out, the report says.

Asemie further told the Ombudsman it was never explained to him why he was not sworn-in, save that he had allegedly fraudulently acquired a Lesotho passport—an accusation he denies—and that he was under police investigation for human trafficking.

The Ombudsman’s report further indicates home affairs Principal Secretary, Mr Retšelisitsoe Khetsi, had reportedly said it was suspicious Asemie already held a Lesotho passport in 2010, and that when his documentation was being processed, he was three months shy of the required qualification period.

Khetsi allegedly further indicated there were criminal investigations being conducted by the police and Directorate of Corruption and Economic Offences, on Asemie.

Other Home Affairs officials, Commissioner of Refugees Mr Mohlolo Lerotholi, Director of Passport Services Mr Sello Mokoena and Director of Immigration Ms Matšeliso Ramathe, also testified before the Ombudsman, the report further indicates.

Lerotholi, the report says, indicated Asemie had no personal file in the ministry’s records proving he was rightfully accorded refugee status.

He allegedly further stated at one time, the National Security Service had inquired about Asemie’s activities, reportedly stating he seemed “to shuttle Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.”

He reportedly also noted although Asemie held a Lesotho passport, he had no Certificate of Naturalisation in the files, which was the other requirement for him to be granted citizenship.

He noted again that a certain Mrs ’Mapeete Molapo had written a letter to the Director of Passport Services and submitted a document allegedly signed by Minister Lehohla, following which Mokoena issued Asemie a Lesotho passport. Molapo’s position is not indicated in the report.

The Ombudsman’s report notes however, that the date on which Asemie was issued with the passport was not stated by Lerotholi.

Lerotholi lastly noted Asemie had sought asylum in 2005, not in 2003 as he had stated before the Ombudsman.

Mokoena submitted to the Ombudsman he was requested by Lerotholi to issue Asemie with a Lesotho passport in June 2010. He confirmed Molapo had accompanied Asemie to his office, and brought all the documents needed for an applicant to be issued a passport.

But a couple of hours or a day later, Mokoena noted he was phoned by Khetsi directing him to withdraw the passport, which the PS then later reversed, the report further notes.

Mokoena added despite the PS’ reversal of his earlier directive, he had, nonetheless, directed Asemie to surrender the passport through a letter—which he did—further telling the Ombudsman Asemie’s lawyer had subsequently objected to the withdrawal of the passport, while the Commissioner of Refugees and Khetsi had also questioned the contents of his letter, the report further says.

But Ramathe told the Ombudsman, that Asemie had gone through all the processes and procedures while he applied for the Lesotho citizenship, the report says.

Noted the Ombudsman, in the report: “Another piece of information that the Director (Ramathe) shared with the Ombudsman office was that there are, in her opinion, issues of personal or friendship levels clouding this official matter.”

On Monday this week, Asemie told Public Eye: “I don’t know why I’m being ill-treated like this. I have been a law-abiding person since I arrived in this country in 2003. I sought asylum through legal means and worked so hard to establish my businesses.

“The police and anti-corruption department have bothered me with investigations for the past two years. They accuse me of serious allegations that include human trafficking, but fail to prove it before the courts of law. I am innocent and do not deserve to be treated like I am an animal. Should I put this case before the United Nations, this country will be in trouble because it claims to be democratic and a home for refugees seeking asylum.”

Meanwhile, Asemie has sought the intervention of the courts in his fight for citizenship, as well as the return of his passport. An order issued by the Maseru Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday this week, with regard the case, reads: “It is ordered that the first respondent (PS Khetsi) be and is hereby ordered to release the  applicant’s local passport.

“The first respondent be and is hereby restrained and interdicted from interfering with applicant and or his travel document in any manner whatsoever without the due process of law.

“The respondents (PS-Home Affairs Ministry and Attorney General) be and are hereby ordered to pay costs hereof.”

When contacted for a comment on Tuesday this week, Lehohla said: “Yes, I am aware of the case; I received a letter from his lawyer. I am also aware of the Ombudsman’s report on the matter. At the moment, I am working on it, but we all have to be patient. In other countries, it takes long for one to get citizenship and here in Lesotho, it should be the same because the process of screening should be done thoroughly.

“In the case of Mr Asemie, there are issues that keep cropping-up every time we are about to finalise his case. You should be aware the police are also on his case, so I cannot say when this would be finalised. I wish I could just conclude it, but cannot, based on the circumstances.”

The police spokesperson Senior Inspector Masupha Masupha told Public Eye on Tuesday this week, he was not aware of the case. “It has not been brought to my attention,” Masupha said.