Lesotho’s anti‑corruption agency, the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), has admitted that it wrongfully arrested Mohalenyane Phakela, the editor of the Lesotho Times and Sunday Express newspapers. The arrest took place on 29 August after the DCEO accused Phakela of impersonating one of its officers to obtain documents for a story on corruption. The story implicated Lesotho Correctional Service Commissioner Mating Nkakala in the alleged theft of three plasma televisions donated by Maseru Toyota in 2022.
Phakela was detained overnight in a police cell, where he said he endured harsh conditions, including a lack of warm clothing and inadequate food. The DCEO’s lead investigator allegedly told him he needed to be “taught a lesson” for sourcing information from Maseru Toyota using his Lesotho Times email address. Phakela maintained that he had done nothing wrong and presented proof of his legitimate journalistic activities.
The arrest was widely condemned by media organisations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Media Institute of Southern Africa, which criticised the DCEO’s actions as an attack on media freedom and an attempt to intimidate journalists. On 8 September the DCEO announced that it had dropped the case against Phakela due to a lack of evidence. However, Phakela expressed disappointment that the agency did not apologise for his detention and the trauma he experienced.
The DCEO’s spokesperson said there had been “reasonable suspicion” of an offence, but the case would not be pursued unless new evidence emerged. The incident has raised concerns about the abuse of authority by the DCEO and the need for greater accountability. Kananelo Boloetse, chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, called for consequences for the agency’s misuse of power, emphasizing that the DCEO should have reported its suspicions to the police rather than acting unilaterally.
The case highlights the challenges faced by journalists in Lesotho and underscores the importance of protecting media freedom. Phakela’s experience serves as a reminder that authorities must respect journalists’ rights and ensure they are not intimidated or harassed in the course of their work.
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