JUSTICE FOR KANANELO BOLOETSE

We, the undersigned citizens, journalists, civil society organisations, media practitioners and concerned members of the public, call upon the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho to urgently ensure justice for Kananelo Boloetse and a full, impartial and independent investigation into his abduction and torture.
On the evening of Saturday, 5 September 2026, Kananelo Boloetse was abducted from his home in Katlehong, Maseru, by three armed men. He was reportedly blindfolded, restrained with cable ties and gagged with tape before being driven to a remote location near the Phuthiatsana River in Thaba Bosiu, where he was tortured.
The assailants allegedly issued a direct death threat, warning that he would be killed if reports of his torture appeared on social media or were broadcast on MoAfrika FM.
These are not merely allegations of an ordinary criminal act. They represent a grave attack on the life, security, dignity and freedom of a person, and raise deeply disturbing questions about the safety of journalists and the state of the rule of law in Lesotho.

WE DEMAND:
1. An immediate and thorough investigation.
The Government must ensure that the abduction, torture, threats and all circumstances surrounding the attack are investigated urgently, professionally and without interference.
2. An impartial investigation.
The investigation must be demonstrably independent and impartial. No person, institution or political interest should be permitted to influence, obstruct or compromise the investigation.
3. Identification and prosecution of those responsible.
The perpetrators, organisers, financiers, instigators and any persons who assisted, facilitated or concealed the crime must be identified and, where evidence supports it, prosecuted in accordance with the law.
4. Preservation of evidence.
All potentially relevant evidence must be urgently secured and preserved.
5. Accountability for any official involvement or obstruction.
If any state official or public institution is found to have participated in, facilitated, concealed or obstructed the investigation into the crime, those responsible must face appropriate legal consequences.
6. Protection for Kananelo Boloetse and other witnesses.
Given the reported threats against his life, the State must take all reasonable measures necessary to protect Boloetse and anyone else whose safety may be compromised because of the investigation or their testimony.
7. Regular public updates.
The Government should provide credible and timely updates on the progress of the investigation, while protecting sensitive information that could compromise the case.
8. Justice, not silence.
We reject any attempt to intimidate, silence or discourage journalists, activists or citizens from speaking about this incident. A crime does not become less serious because it is inconvenient, embarrassing or politically sensitive.

OUR APPEAL
The Government of Lesotho has a constitutional and moral responsibility to protect the lives and dignity of its people and to uphold the rule of law.
A journalist and activist should not have to choose between doing his work and staying alive.
If a person can be abducted from his home, transported to an isolated location, tortured and threatened with death because of what may be reported about his ordeal, then every journalist, activist and ordinary citizen has reason to ask whether they are safe.
We therefore call upon the Government of Lesotho to demonstrate, through decisive action, that no individual is above the law and no victim is beneath the protection of the State.
We demand a credible investigation.
We demand accountability.
We demand protection.
We demand justice for Kananelo Boloetse.
Justice for Kananelo Boloetse is justice for the rule of law in Lesotho.