Mohloai Mpesi
THE leader of the Democratic Congress (DC), Mathibeli Mokhothu, has urged the government to drop all the charges against the incarcerated Basotho Covenant Movement (BCM) leader, Dr T?epo Lipholo.
Mr Mokhothu, who is also the leader of opposition in the National Assembly, was speaking at the DC’s leadership conference at Ha Buasono recently.
Dr Lipholo was arrested at his Qoaling homestead on July 2, 2025, and has been detained at the Maseru Central Correctional Institution since then.
He is charged with sedition, disrespecting the Royal Family, and human trafficking, as well as treason. He faces the later charge with four other members of his party.
BCM has consistently denied all the charges and dismissed accusations that the party is training an armed group in South Africa at a farm belonging to a BCM member.
Mr Mokhothu told his party’s leadership conference that DC supports Dr Lipholo’s quest to see parts of “conquered territories” in South Africa returned or, alternatively, to ensure that Lesotho is compensated for the “lost” territories.
The disputed territories include the entire Free State province, New Castle in Kwazulu-Natal, parts of Eastern Cape and others.
“I plead with Prime Minister Sam Matekane to release from prison MP, Reverend Dr T?epo Lipholo, and drop all the charges against him because, even if he made mistakes, he was addressing a bigger issue.
“It is not good that when Dr Lipholo is being accused, His Majesty’s name is being used to formulate political charges because that will taint his Majesty’s name, which is the pillar of our nation as Basotho.
“Where Lipholo disrespected His Majesty, he must be reprimanded but he should not be locked behind bars on baseless allegations. It is not everything that should be solved through prison,” he said.
Mr Mokhothu expressed doubt that Dr Lipholo could have called United States President Donald Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asking for weapons and support to overthrow Mr Matekane’s government as the state alleges.
“I heard that one of his charges includes treason. Then I wonder whether a reverend . . . could overthrow the government. Unless this is a weak government.
“I hear that he is also accused of sedition and that he disrespected the Royal family,” he said.
“Are we going to see Trump and Netanyahu coming to provide evidence in Lesotho’s courts over these issues that Dr Lipholo is being charged with or being charged together with him?” he rhetorically asked.
He said it was ironic that, on one hand the government was making efforts to secure the extension of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA), while on the other hand accusing President Trump of trying to overthrow Lesotho’s government.
“Does this government understand the relationships between these countries? They are asking Donald Trump to extend AGOA, but they say he wants to overthrow their government.
“This treason charge is just a weapon being used to persecute those who are not in power by those in power.”
He added that Lesotho has to enter into negotiations with South Africa to claim the “conquered land” or get compensated.
“The country should enter into discussions with the Republic of South Africa over parts of conquered Lesotho land, with the aim of returning that land, or compensation over the loss of those parts of land. That compensation should include that Lesotho should be given a piece of land between Kwazulu-Natal and Eastern Cape through to the Indian Ocean.
“This is Matatiele, which was rightfully King Moshoeshoe’s land. You will find many Basotho with royal surnames there. Basotho need to be united on this issue of finding a solution over the conquered land,” he said.
He said DC is going to work with other political parties to reclaim the disputed territories in South Africa.
“To reach this, DC, working with all political parties, chiefs, educational institutions and all sectors of the nation, will call a conference that will shape how this issue will be handled swiftly so that the country can get out of poverty.
“This issue will have to be handled working with Basotho in order to avoid political division and self-serving politics,” he said.