Protesters accuse govt of blocking LEC price hike march
‘MATHATO SEBOKA
MASERU – Disgruntled Basotho, angered by soaring electricity prices and questionable spending at the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC), claim authorities are deliberately obstructing their planned protest to the Prime Minister’s office.
The march organizers, led by Balefe Sekhamane, sought a permit from the police but were redirected to the Maseru City Council (MCC) to first secure approval for their protest route. After complying, they returned to the police – only to be told they must now confirm the prime minister’s availability to receive their petition on the march day.
Frustrated protesters allege these demands are unnecessary hurdles to silence dissent over LEC’s mismanagement and rising costs.
“We were asked to go to the office of the prime minister to inquire if he would be available on the day that we are intending to hand him the letter, when we got there we were told to come back last week Thursdays for negotiations,” Sekhamane laid said.
When at the ‘negotiations’ at the premier’s office, they were told to write a “a fully detailed letter and bring it back to the office.”
Additionally, they were told the response to their letter could not be guaranteed since the “the office of the prime minister is very busy.”
Sekhamane said that they left the prime minister’s office without reaching an agreement because they believe the office of the prime minister was merely trying to frustrate the planned march – and nothing about helping us out.
He expressed frustration after their initial letter to the prime minister’s office was rejected.
“We presented the letter as written, but they told us to go back and submit a more detailed one. It felt like a waste of time – just a tactic to postpone the march, which was supposed to happen on June 18,” he said.
After revising the letter, the group returned to the police to secure a protest permit but were denied. “The officers couldn’t help us or approve our request,” Sekhamane explained.
Facing bureaucratic obstacles, the organizers now plan to take legal action.
“Since the Prime Minister’s office refuses to confirm when they will respond – what if they take two years? We have advised ourselves to approach the courts,” he said, questioning the government’s motives.
Sekhamane believes both the police and the prime minister’s office are deliberately obstructing their efforts, arguing that “the police asked us to confirm whether the prime minister’s office would be present during the letter handover. It felt like we were being forced to seek their permission.”
“It’s clear they are deceiving us, making us rewrite a letter with no guarantee of a timely response.” But despite the setbacks, the group remains determined.
“The march will proceed once the court intervenes,” Sekhamane declared.
The planned demonstration stems from growing public anger over soaring electricity costs. Protesters demand a 30 percent reduction in domestic electricity tariffs; accountability for alleged embezzlement at the LEC, with stolen funds recovered from fraudsters.
As tensions rise, the government faces mounting pressure to address these grievances – or risk further unrest.
Reports of inflated contracts, procurement irregularities and unexplained expenditures have plagued the utility company for years. Last year, an internal probe flagged suspicious transactions worth millions of Maloti, but no high-ranking officials have faced consequences.
“Money meant to maintain infrastructure and keep prices stable has been looted,” said an LEC insider who requested anonymity speaking to Public Eye. “Now, ordinary Basotho pay the price through higher bills and unreliable supply.”
This while protest organizers allege that the prime minister’s office is protecting LEC leadership rather than addressing corruption. Critics argue that the government’s inaction suggests political interference, as some LEC board members have ties to ruling party figures.
“First, they delay our protest. Then, they ignore our demands. It’s clear they’re shielding the powerful,” Sekhamane said.
“If there’s nothing to hide, why no investigation?” asked Lineo Khoarai in a local radio station’s phone-in morning talk show this week. “The longer this goes unchecked, the more it looks like a cover-up.”
Undeterred by bureaucratic hurdles, organizers are preparing for a court challenge to secure their right to protest. They insist the march will proceed once judicial approval is granted. “We won’t be silenced,” Sekhamane has vowed.
“If the prime minister won’t listen, we will take our demands to the streets – and the courts.”
This controversy highlights a deepening crisis of trust in Lesotho’s public institutions. With inflation straining household budgets, the LEC scandal has become a flashpoint for broader discontent over governance and accountability.
“People are tired of corruption,” protestors say.
“If the government doesn’t act, protests could escalate.”
