Expression
JOURNALIST ABDUCTED AND ASSAULTED
On 5th September 2026, Lesotho journalist and human rights defender Kananelo Boloetse was reportedly abducted and assaulted by armed, hooded men at his home in Katlehong, Maseru. The assailants handcuffed, blindfolded and gagged him before forcing him into a vehicle, beating him and questioning him about his human rights work. He was reportedly abandoned in Thaba-Bosiu, where a passing motorist assisted him. Boloetse filed a police complaint on 6th September.
Boloetse, a news editor and co-founder of SECTION 2, has advocated for constitutional rights, freedom of expression and public accountability. Although the motive remains unconfirmed, human rights organisations expressed concern that the attack may have been retaliation for his activism and journalism.
Peaceful Assembly
POLICE BLOCK PROTEST SUPPORTING ABDUCTED JOURNALIST
On 8th October 2026, heavily armed police blocked a planned protest organised by Hands Off Basotho to deliver a petition to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) demanding action over the alleged abduction and torture of journalist Kananelo Boloetse, as well as death threats against him (see above in expression section). Despite reports that the Maseru City Council had granted permission for the demonstration, organisers were forced to hand the petition directly to Police Commissioner Advocate Botho Matsoso without holding the planned protest.
Police cited the absence of a procession permit and questioned the organisation’s legal registration in Lesotho, noting that it is based in South Africa. The petition called for those responsible to be identified, arrested and prosecuted within seven days.
CSOs condemned the incident and called for an independent investigation, protection for Boloetse and accountability for those responsible. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported that police had established a special investigative team. At the time, no arrests had been made in connection with the allegations against Boloetse, with police stating that investigations were ongoing.
YOUTH PARTICIPANTS HARASSED FOR RAISING PLACARDS AT SUMMIT
From 1st to 3rd July 2026, the government of Lesotho organised the Accountability Summit at the ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru to promote transparency, accountability and public participation by providing citizens and civil society organisations with an opportunity to engage directly with national leaders on governance and service delivery issues.
However, on 2nd July 2026, youth organisations reported that police officers and members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) harassed young participants who were peacefully expressing their views through placards. According to a joint statement issued on 3rd July, security personnel questioned participants, confronted them and confiscated their placards, despite no reported violence or disruption of the proceedings.
Following the incident, the youth organisations called for public apologies from the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) and the LDF, condemnation of the reported conduct by the summit organisers, and assurances that participants’ right to peaceful expression would be respected at future public events. The incident raised concerns about the protection of civic participation and the ability of youth organisations to express collective views freely within government-led consultation forums.