MASERU – Socialist Revolutionaries (SR) leader Teboho Mojapela has accused the police of attempting to silence him over his outspoken criticism of corruption, alleging that he was summoned to police headquarters and warned to stop speaking publicly about what he describes as “high-level graft pulling the country down.”
Mojapela told Lesotho Tribune yesterday, Saturday 07 February, that he received a phone call last Friday instructing him to report to police headquarters at 2pm. He said he was unable to attend at the scheduled time and instead presented himself on Monday this week, where he met officers for approximately three hours.
According to Mojapela, the meeting was not routine.
“Junior police officers summoned me with the intention of threatening me and curtailing my constitutional right to freedom of expression,” he said. “They told me to stop talking about the high corruption that is pulling the country down.”
He claimed officers advised him to report corruption privately rather than raise it in public forums. They allegedly warned that his continued commentary could “cause instability in the country.”
Mojapela described the interaction as “deeply troubling” and characterised it as an abuse of power.
“This is a clear abuse of power. It means the Commissioner of Police himself is complicit,” he charged.
The opposition leader, who has consistently criticised the government for what he calls entrenched conflicts of interest among ruling MPs and ministers, questioned why he had been singled out.
“Newspapers, radio stations and civil society organisations complain about corruption every day, but they are never called to the police. Why me? Why now?” he asked.
Mojapela said he believes his uncompromising stance against corruption has placed him in the government’s crosshairs.
“They see me as their enemy because I hate their corruption,” he said, adding that he would not be intimidated into silence.
“I know a man’s life has to be full of trials and tribulations, but that does not mean I will give these corrupt people a chance to destroy me. They can destroy my flesh, but not my spirit. I will not allow them to kill me. They want my life.”
At a previous rally in Machache, Mojapela condemned alleged corruption linked to the controversial Queen ’Mamohato Memorial Hospital tender, which he claimed was unlawfully awarded. He argued that corruption has crippled not only the economy but also the livelihoods of ordinary Basotho.
“When those elected to govern are corrupt, the economy suffers, leading to crime and unruly behaviour, including murders,” he said.
He further questioned why Lesotho remains underdeveloped despite its natural resources, alleging that those in power enrich themselves at the expense of national progress. He cited alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects, including at the Maseru traffic circle and Makoanyane Square.
“There is corruption there. A contractor works, then demolishes the work and starts again,” he alleged.
Mojapela also claimed nepotism within government structures, alleging that relatives of ministers are appointed to positions, including at embassies, without merit.
