Lesotho

The multibillion-rand Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), which transfers huge quantities of water from the rugged peaks of the Mountain Kingdom to the industrial heartland of South Africa, has always fitted the current stereotype of large dams – that they are massive, expensive and, environmental campaigners would say, destructive. The conviction on bribery charges last year of former Lesotho Highlands Water Authority (LHWA) CEO Masupha Sole and Canadian engineering firm Acres Internati...read more

The current famine in Lesotho is further compounded by HIV/Aids as many young and able-bodied people who cultivate the fields succumb to HIV/Aids related complications. According to the United Nations Resident Representative, Scholastica Kimaryo, the current famine that has left many families destitute has an incestuous link with the high prevalence of HIV/Aids, which has put Lesotho amongst the top four countries worst affected by the pandemic in the world.

The Lesotho Red Cross Society has distributed 265 metric tons of maize seeds and 410 metric tons of fertilizers to orphans. The distribution also covered the aged and the disabled in the districts of Berea, Butha-Buthe and Leribe. Seventy metric tons of maize seeds were distributed in the Mokhotlong district.

A combination of bad weather, late deliveries of seeds and fertiliser could condemn Lesotho to another disastrous harvest this year, World Food Programme officials say.

The Lesotho National Insurance Group (LNIG) is suing the weekly tabloid "Mohahlaula", for publishing a news item that the company has deemed to be damaging to its business activities. In its 15 November 2002 edition, the publication reported that the company was facing possible bankruptcy due to alleged mismanagement of funds.

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