Mohloai Mpesi
FARMERS in the Ha ‘Mathata area of Maputsoe, Leribe, have declared war on the Lesotho Housing and Land Development Corporation (LHDC), accusing the parastatal of attempting to seize fields that have belonged to their families for generations.
They have vowed that no one would take their harvest as the fields belong to their families and not LHDC.
The row erupted after the LHDC issued a notice dated 25 June informing Peka Fresh Produce — an agricultural venture owned by Peka legislator and businessman, Mohopoli “Hippo” Monokoane — that it would begin harvesting maize crops on the disputed land from 6 July 2026.
The corporation insists that the fields form part of its land holdings in Maputsoe.
The LHDC, a state-owned enterprise established by Order No. 12 of 1988 under the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship, is mandated to provide housing and serviced land to Basotho. The government owns a 75 percent stake in the corporation, while the remaining 25 percent is held by the Lesotho National Development Corporation.
Although its primary business is housing development, the corporation controls significant land reserves across the country earmarked for future projects.
According to community members, 31 Ha Mathata and Ha Barete farmers entered into an agreement with Peka Fresh Produce to cultivate the fields on their behalf and share the eventual harvest.
The dispute first surfaced in February this year when the LHDC wrote to Peka Fresh Produce, warning the company to cease farming operations on the land. A follow-up letter signed by LHDC Director General, ‘Malesekele Matekane, in March reiterated that position and accused the company of unlawfully occupying and cultivating the corporation’s land.
The corporation initially proposed a settlement under which Peka Fresh Produce would receive 60 percent of the net harvest proceeds, while LHDC would take 40 percent.
However, after the parties failed to reach an agreement, the LHDC issued its latest notice, citing the breakdown of negotiations.
“We refer to the above matter and exchanged correspondence dated 12 February 2026 and 4 March 2026. We wish to record that the Corporation tried to resolve this matter amicably for the benefit of both parties, in circumstances where you trespassed on its land without permission.
“The Corporation’s efforts have not been successful because you evade engagement on the matter.
“In the circumstances, the Corporation has decided to exercise its rights as the lawful owner of the land to harvest the crops thereon. The Corporation will harvest the maize crop commencing on 6 July 2026,” the notice reads.
The LHDC further warned that it would sell the harvested crop to recover costs and threatened criminal prosecution for any continued trespass, as well as civil claims for damages.
Ironically, the fields have been idle for years, so it remains unclear which costs LHDC seeks to recover.
Mr Monokoane, who founded Hippo Transport and Peka Fresh Produce, won the Peka constituency in the 2022 general elections under the ruling Revolution for Prosperity banner. However, he parted ways with the party earlier this year, citing poor governance and internal persecution.
He has since launched his own political movement, Khanya ea Basotho.
The land dispute began when community members, unable to cultivate their fields due to a lack of resources, invited Mr Monokoane to farm the land under a block-farming arrangement in which the harvest would be shared.
The LHDC’s notice has infuriated residents of Ha ‘Mathata, who insist the fields have belonged to their parents and grandparents for decades. They have challenged the corporation to produce documentary evidence proving that their families ever surrendered ownership of the land.
Several villagers further allege that the dispute has been politically engineered by former Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police and Teya-Teyaneng MP, Lebona Lephema, a political rival of Mr Monokoane.
According to the villagers, Mr Lephema raised the matter in Cabinet earlier this year, arguing that Mr Monokoane’s company had unlawfully planted crops on LHDC land and that the crops should be destroyed.
The two MPs reportedly came to blows in the National Assembly restrooms in March over the matter, with Mr Monokoane alleging that Mr Lephema pushed him against a wall.
Tholang Letuka, one of the landowners whose fields are being farmed by Peka Fresh Produce, said the community approached Mr Monokoane because they lacked the means to cultivate the land themselves.
“We are happy because this is being done by someone from this place. This is not politics. I am among the people who own fields here. The fields do not belong to Lesotho Housing. We asked Mr Hippo to plant these fields because they had lain idle for a long time.
“There is something surprising about these fields. Mr David Ramela used to cultivate these same fields without any resistance from the government. But the moment Hippo plants them, the fighting starts.
“It is because of politics. These political games are being played with the lives of ordinary people. Before Hippo came, Mr Lephema attended a public gathering uninvited and instructed us to stay away from our fields. He did not even give us an opportunity to speak,” Mr Letuka said.
Another field owner, Thabo Tšolo, said the community had endured years of being unable to use the land.
“These fields belonged to our parents. Our parents held them under Form C. As time went by, we were stopped from cultivating them by the council, which claimed it had reached an agreement with our parents, yet no evidence of such an agreement has ever been produced.
“We have spent many years without planting these fields. We are dying of hunger while our land lies idle. That is why we approached Mr Monokoane to intervene. It is as good as having no fields at all if they cannot be used. We entered into agreements with him on how we would share the harvest,” Mr Tšolo said.
For his part, Mr Monokoane described the matter as politically motivated and accused Prime Minister Sam Matekane of orchestrating the dispute.
“It is clear that Matekane is fighting me. At first, he was hiding behind Lebona, but now there is no Lebona and yet the fight is intensifying. This means that all along, Mr Matekane has been behind it,” he said.
He added that the community, as the owners of the fields, would have the final say on the matter.
“We could have harvested long ago, but the fields are wet, making harvesting difficult.
“We were shocked when we received this letter. However, I do not have much to say, except that the owners of the fields will have the final say. If he (Matekane) believes he is hurting me, then he is in fact hurting the very people who voted him into power – a hungry community struggling to make ends meet.”
Contacted for comment, Prime Minister’s Press Attache, Thapelo Mabote, dismissed Mr Monokoane’s claims.
“Prime Minister is not fighting Mr Monkoane. He has no interest in persecuting anyone. He has not instructed Lesotho Housing to target Mr Monokoane or the Ha ‘Mathata community. Mr Monokoane should resolve the matter with Lesotho Housing which claims ownership of the land,” Mr Mabote said.