Mohloai Mpesi
MAIN opposition party, Democratic Congress (DC), has thrown its weight behind a projected workers’ protest that is gradually gaining momentum.
The protest, in which workers plan to petition Prime Minister Sam Matekane over a litany of grievances—including the expiration of the African Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) and the suspension of Quantum Apparel workers—is set to take place on Friday.
AGOA expired on 30 September 2025. In response, Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development Mokhethi Shelile, Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr Ret?elisitsoe Matlanyane, and Minister of Labour and Employment T?eliso Mokhosi travelled to the United States to negotiate a renewal or extension of the agreement.
Although the ministers returned without a definitive answer, Mr Shelile told the Lesotho Times, a sister paper to the Sunday Express, that the US government had assured them that AGOA is likely to be renewed in November, pending Congress’s ruling—possibly for one year.
The expiration of AGOA is projected to affect at least 12,000 local jobs, as nearly 11 factories could be forced to close. This would also indirectly impact other industries, including transport, rental, and retail sectors.
The protest is being organized by local workers’ associations, including the Economic Freedom Trade Union (EFTU), National Clothing Textile and Allied Workers Union (NACTWU), United Textile Employees Union (UNITE), Lentsoe la Sechaba Workers Union (LSWU), Lesotho Workers Association (LEWA), and Mining Quarrying Allied (CMQ). The Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL), however, confirmed it will not participate.
According to UNITE Deputy Secretary General, Monare Potloloane, the police have instructed them to address their request to the Prime Minister. He argued that the law does not grant the Prime Minister authority to approve protests and said they have appealed to the Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, Lebona Lephema. If the appeal is denied, they plan to seek court intervention.
“Until now there is nothing stopping us. We only have a challenge with the permit. The permit has not been declined; the police simply stated we should seek permission from the Prime Minister and Municipal authorities. We have appealed to the minister, and he has not responded. If he refuses, we will go to court to seek approval to hold the protest,” he said.
He added that previous attempts to meet the Prime Minister to discuss AGOA issues had failed.
“Our grievances include workers who were laid off at Quantum Apparel. We want to submit our grievances to the Prime Minister, especially regarding AGOA and the Quantum layoffs, as well as the limited number of judges in our labour courts. AGOA has expired, and we have been seeking a meeting with the Prime Minister since February this year. He always sent ministers instead,” Mr Potloloane said.
He noted ongoing uncertainty over tax responsibilities for products affected by AGOA’s expiration.
“AGOA has expired, but we have received verbal assurances that it will be renewed in November or December. Meanwhile, a tax has been introduced, and it is unclear whether the buyer or employer will bear it,” he said.
DC Spokesperson, Serialong Qoo, confirmed that his party will support the protest.
“As DC, we were invited, and our leader approved that we support the protest. The law does not give the Prime Minister powers to authorize protests; it simply requires the police to be informed to provide security. All opposition parties are expected to back the protest,” he said.
When asked whether they fear police persecution, he responded, “No one can lock up the whole of Lesotho. If they try to use teargas, it will be their downfall. It is better for them to ignore it and send Tau (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Limpho Tau) to collect the petition.”
Mr Qoo added that if Mr Lephema does not respond by Tuesday, the associations will approach the courts to ensure the protest takes place.
“The court will direct the police to facilitate a peaceful protest. This has happened before. Everyone dissatisfied with the current administration—including councillors, teachers, chiefs, and others—will attend,” he said.
A statement released by the Organisation of Chiefs of Lesotho (Mokhatlo oa Marena Lesotho) also indicated support for the protest. The chiefs lamented the government’s failure to implement a promised salary increment slated for April 2025, which they secured through court rulings.
“As chiefs, we support a protest of disgruntled Basotho on issues the government has yet to address. The government has reneged on our salary increment agreement, and even though we won in court, chiefs continue to face challenges,” the statement read.
Contacted for comment, police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli, said it is standard procedure to first seek an appointment with the party being petitioned, and that marching without a permit would be unlawful.
“Permission to march is requested from the police. They were not told to ask the Prime Minister for permission; they were instructed to seek an appointment with the person they intend to petition. This is not a new practice. Every time people request permission to hold a protest, they first contact the person they will petition to confirm their availability to receive the letter. Only then do they approach the police, after also coordinating the route with the municipality.
“This means you first agree with the Prime Minister on the day you will submit your letter, and then you request permission from the police to hold the protest. Ultimately, permission is granted by the police. The Prime Minister does not give permission,” SSP Mopeli said.
Asked whether the police would take action if the protest went ahead without a permit, Mopeli said, “that would be a breach of the law, and legal action would be taken”.
For his part, the Prime Minister’s Press Attache, Thapelo Mabote, said: “We received a letter stating that they plan to protest on the 31st and are coming to the Prime Minister. According to the way the letter is written, it does not request anything from the Prime Minister; it merely announces their intention to come. If someone simply informs you of something, there is no action you are required to take. As the letter stands, they are not asking for anything”.