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African Development Bank Group to Expand Investment in Lesotho to $331 Million

Location: Business
African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) plans to invest $331 million in key strategic sectors in Lesotho as part of its proposed Country Strategy Paper for 2025-2030 to boost economic growth and industrial competitiveness. 

During an official visit to Lesotho -- the first by an African Development Bank President -- Dr. Akinwumi Adesina met with His Majesty King Letsie III to discuss strengthening development partnerships and expanding the Bank's investments in the country. 

His Majesty expressed delight at the Bank President's visit, viewing the mission as a reflection of the Bank and Adesina's appreciation for Lesotho's progress in improving people's lives. 

“With haste, we will ensure that the policies and incentives to accommodate the needs of and attract the private sector are in place, especially in healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing,” the King remarked. 

King Letsie said he was confident that Adesina, whom he described as a 'man of action,' would help catalyze progress on the Bank's strategic projects in Lesotho. 

Adesina thanked King Letsie for his strong leadership role as the African Union Nutrition Champion since 2014, his advocacy for improved nutrition and food security on the continent -- especially for women, adolescents, and children -- and his passion for youth development. 

The African Development Bank president commended His Majesty for his leadership on the  King Letsie III Just Energy Transition Fund, which aims to generate approximately 200 megawatts of power through private sector investments. 

He also briefed King Letsie about the Bank's new 2025-2030 Country strategy paper and planned investments of $331 million to support quality infrastructure, capacity building, energy, integration and interconnectivity, debt management and standards, and strengthening the office of the Prime Minister.  

Referencing dwindling donor commitments globally, Dr. Adesina said, "Africa must prepare to engage more proactively with the private sector. Every challenge is an investor's dream. Ultimately, capital, like water, will always find a receptive place to go." 

According to Adesina, the Bank has implemented 87 projects totaling $429 million since Lesotho joined the Bank in 1973.  

"We have eight ongoing projects worth $60 million, and we look forward to significantly expanding our commitments," Adesina said. 

The Bank's investment strategy for Lesotho will focus on several priority areas: 

  • Energy infrastructure, including electricity transmission lines connecting Lesotho to South Africa 
  • Agricultural development to enhance food security and rural livelihoods 
  • Climate resilience initiatives to address environmental challenges 
  • Digital transformation, including broadband expansion for digital financial inclusion and government service digitalization 
  • Water resource management, building on the success of the Lesotho Lowland Rural Water Supply Project 
  • Public financial management and debt management support 
  • Trade competitiveness enhancements through improved grades and standards for exports 

The African Development Bank-led Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project has delivered remarkable results: 190 kilometers of pipeline to distribution networks, water storage tanks with a total capacity of 3.48 million liters, and 166 public water points serving approximately 28,266 people across eight zones in Maseru and Berea districts. 

Responding to King Letsie's request, Dr. Adesina said the Bank will prioritize investments in primary healthcare centers across Lesotho.  

“We will work on an integrated project that includes components of energy, a potential multi-partner $2.3 billion water transfer project from Lesotho through South Africa to Botswana, agro-value chains, and trade facilitation in Lesotho,” Adesina said after the meeting with King Letsie III. 

The Bank is expected to support Lesotho in mobilizing approximately $260 million for the integrated water transfer project, which will supply 308 million cubic meters of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use through a 700 km pipe system. The project has the potential to generate up to 22 MW of hydropower. 

Speaking earlier, Minister of Finance and Development Planning Retselisitsoe Matlanyane indicated that as Lesotho's energy supply will exceed domestic demand by the end of 2026, the country intends to build a substation to export excess power production to South Africa. She reiterated Lesotho's commitment to private sector-friendly policies and engagement. 

The minister highlighted the importance of primary healthcare and nutrition investments to help combat extreme stunting in several parts of the country.  

King Letsie is the African Union-appointed African Leaders for Nutrition champion.  The initiative, spearheaded by the African Development Bank and championed by African leaders, works to galvanize political will and significant investments to end malnutrition on the continent. 

Dr. Adesina also met with Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane; and the ministers of Foreign Affairs; Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition; Natural Resources; Health; Communication, Science & Technology; and Education & Training. 

The Bank's delegation to Lesotho included its Executive Director for Lesotho, Dr. Nomfundo X. Ngwenya; Deputy Director General for Southern Africa, Moono Mupotola; and Senior Advisor to the President for Communication and Stakeholder Engagement, Dr. Victor Oladokun. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:  
Emeka Anuforo
Principal Regional Communication Officer 
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group: 
The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

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African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
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Read moreAfrican Development Bank Group to Expand Investment in Lesotho to $331 Million

Two arrested for murder, attempted murder and possession of drugs

Location: News

Two arrested for murder, attempted murder and possession of drugs

The police’s Anti-Gang Unit have arrested two people in two separate incidents of murder, attempted murder and possession of drugs in Nigel and Naturena in Gauteng.

In the early hours of Wednesday, members of the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) acted on intelligence regarding a wanted suspect linked to a murder and attempted murder case in Nigel.

Upon arriving at an identified place in Nigel, a 25-year-old man was found and identified as the wanted suspect.

In a separate incident on the evening of Tuesday, members received information regarding another wanted suspect connected to a murder case reported at SAPS Langlaagte. 

“Initial leads directed the team to Westbury, however, the suspect was not located at that address and the team was further led to a residence in Naturena,” the police said in a statement. 

While there, they encountered a 26-year-old female who identified herself as the wanted suspect’s girlfriend.

During their inquiry about the suspect’s whereabouts, the members were informed that he had been arrested the previous day on unrelated charges. 

Upon requesting permission to search her, the female voluntarily disclosed that her bag contained illegal substances. 

A subsequent search revealed over 300 mandrax tablets, ziplock bags containing crystal meth, with an estimated street value of R15 050 and cash. The female suspect was arrested for possession of drugs. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Fri, 03/14/2025 - 10:13
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Read moreTwo arrested for murder, attempted murder and possession of drugs

Operation Shanela nets more than 14 000 suspects

Location: News

Operation Shanela nets more than 14 000 suspects

Through its high-density operation, commonly known as Operation Shanela, the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested 14 165 suspects between Monday, 03 March 2025, and Sunday, 09 March 2025.

“Through Operation Shanela, the SAPS continues to take a bold and decisive approach in dealing with crime in the country. These crime fighting activities include tracking operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, stop and searches as well as tracing of wanted suspects,” the SAPS said in a statement.

All Shanela operations are led by the Provincial Commissioner of each province.

During the period, the following arrests were made:

  • A total of 1 870  wanted suspects were arrested. These suspects were wanted for various serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, carjacking, business and house robberies.
  • A total of 185 suspects were arrested for murder, the majority of these suspects were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal (37).
  • A total of 154 suspects were arrested for attempted murder, 72 more arrests than the previous week.
  • A total of 235 suspects were arrested for rape, 96 of these arrests were made in KwaZulu-Natal.
  • A total of 1 513 suspects were arrested for assault GBH during this period.
  • A total of 166 drug dealers were arrested, the majority of these suspects were arrested in the Eastern Cape (43).
  • A total of 2 176 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs, 650 more arrests than the previous week. The majority of these suspects were arrested in Western Cape (1 237).
  • A total of 105 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms.
  • Four suspects were arrested for human trafficking during this period.
  • A total of 525 drivers were arrested for drunk and driving in the past week.

Under recoveries and confiscations, police registered the following successes:

  • A total of 155 firearms were confiscated in the past week, 48 more firearms confiscated than the previous week.
  • A total of 3 627 rounds of ammunition were confiscated; and
  • 50 hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered during this week’s operations.

On Friday, 07 March 2025, the National Commissioner for SAPS, General Fannie Masemola presided over a drug destruction process in which R340 million worth of drugs were destroyed, this included cocaine worth R220 million seized during police operations.

General Masemola commended the vigilance and commitment of the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) and Crime Intelligence officers in the Western Cape following the arrest of two suspects at a storage facility in Bellville, Cape Town. 

The arrest of the duo, a man and a woman, followed the discovery of 50 000 mandrax tablets and an arms cache including three AK47 rifles and twelve 9mm pistols amongst other firearms

Also, a shipment of cocaine worth R6 million was detected and seized at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, 04 March 2025. The drugs were concealed in boxes disguised as hair products. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that the shipment was en route to France from Brazil via South Africa.

Police arrested a 37-year-old suspect for theft and tampering with essential infrastructure; the suspect illegally connected electricity. The team also seized 41 Eskom transformers worth millions in lost revenue during multiple operations carried out in Winterveldt, Erasmia and Diepsloot, last week.

“The police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Tue, 03/11/2025 - 14:37
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Read moreOperation Shanela nets more than 14 000 suspects

President Cyril Ramaphosa Pays Tribute to Athol Fugard

Location: News

The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the late dramatist, novelist and actor Athol Fugard as “an extraordinary storyteller in extraordinary times, and the moral conscience of a generation.”

Fugard passed away on Sunday, 9 March 2025 at the age of 93.

“Beyond the impressive body of work that he has left behind, Athol Fugard will be remembered for being an outlier amongst the millions of white South Africans who blithely turned a blind eye to the injustices being perpetrated in their name,” President Ramaphosa said.

In the late 1950s Fugard worked as a clerk in the Native Commissioner's Court in Johannesburg, which would significantly impact his world-view and shape his political consciousness.

He was renowned for collaborating across the racial divide at a time when the mixing of the races was forbidden, and founded several theatre companies alongside black actors.

Fugard's body of works include the plays No Good Friday, The Blood Knot, Master Harold and the Boys, and Sizwe Bansi is Dead.

His 1980 novel Tsotsi was adapted for film by the director Gavin Hood and won an Academy Award in 2005.

In his play, The Island, co-written with theatre legends Winston Ntshona and John Kani, the cruelty and dehumanisation wrought by apartheid was laid bare in the starkest terms on a naked floor replicating a prison cell on Robben Island.

In 1985 Athol Fugard was celebrated by Time magazine as the greatest active playwright in the English-speaking world. He used this influential voice to rouse the consciences of international audiences in support of the anti-apartheid struggle “As a country we are grateful that we were able to honour the legendary Athol Fugard during his lifetime with the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver,” President Ramaphosa said.

“The Fugard Theatre in District Six in Cape Town stands as a fitting tribute to a man whose life and works have left an indelible footprint, and that will continue to inspire generations of creative professionals for time to come,” the President added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Read morePresident Cyril Ramaphosa Pays Tribute to Athol Fugard

President pays tribute to Athol Fugard

Location: News

President pays tribute to Athol Fugard

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to world-renowned actor, novelist and playwright Athol Fugard who passed away on Sunday in Stellenbosch.

Fugard was widely known as one of South Africa’s greatest playwrights – writing plays which dealt with the Apartheid government’s injustices and working with artists across the racial divide during South Africa’s darkest parts of history.

“Beyond the impressive body of work that he has left behind, Athol Fugard will be remembered for being an outlier amongst the millions of white South Africans who blithely turned a blind eye to the injustices being perpetrated in their name,” President Ramaphosa said.

Fugard’s most well-known work include the plays No Good Friday, The Blood Knot, Master Harold and the Boys, and Sizwe Bansi is Dead.

His book, Tsotsi, was also the inspiration behind the 2005 Oscar winning movie of the same title.

In 1985, Time magazine honoured Fugard as the “greatest active playwright in the English-speaking world”.

“As a country we are grateful that we were able to honour the legendary Athol Fugard during his lifetime with the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver.

“The Fugard Theatre in District Six in Cape Town stands as a fitting tribute to a man whose life and works have left an indelible footprint, and that will continue to inspire generations of creative professionals for time to come,” President Ramaphosa added. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Mon, 03/10/2025 - 08:01
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Read morePresident pays tribute to Athol Fugard

Two to appear in court on firearm charges 

Location: News

Two to appear in court on firearm charges 

Two suspects are to appear in court soon for the alleged illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and drugs as well as the possession of illegal explosives, Western Cape police said.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the 41-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man were arrested on Monday at a storage facility in Stikland where a package containing two kilograms of heroin was confiscated.

The arrests come as a multi-disciplinary team comprising Anti-Gang Unit investigators, Crime Intelligence (Counter Gangs and Narcotics) and Visible Policing Anti-Gang Unit members swooped on storage facilities and seized illegal firearms, ammunition, explosives and drugs.

“The discovery took place in Bellville South as well as in Stikland. The operation, which was the culmination of weeks of observing the movements of suspects resulted in the discovery,” said the police in a statement on Tuesday.

In Bellville South, police found three AK47 rifles, an R5 rifle and ⁠one assault rifle, 12 9mm pistols and two revolvers, among others.

“As the investigation continues, the possibility of further arrests effected cannot be ruled out. The efforts of the team have been commended by SAPS management as the Western Cape battles shooting incidents that result murder and attempted murder cases,” said the SAPS. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Wed, 03/05/2025 - 09:18
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Read moreTwo to appear in court on firearm charges 

Warrant officer nabbed for firearms, ammunition 

Location: News

Warrant officer nabbed for firearms, ammunition 

A police officer arrested for the alleged illegal possession of two firearms and ammunition, is expected to appear in the Odendaalsrus Magistrates Court today, said the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (HAWKS).

According to the Hawks in the Free State, in January this year, Welkom-based Hawks detectives received information about a man who kept unpermitted firearms at his house. The said house was observed and confirmed as belonging to the 53-year-old suspect.

“After obtaining a search and seizure warrant, a multi-faceted team of the Hawks, Tactical Response Team (TRT), SAPS detectives, and Local Criminal Record Center (LCRC) was assembled. They descended on the house early hours of 27 February,” said the Hawks on Friday.

Free State Head of the Hawks, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, has praised members involved in the operation for their swiftness.

"No one is above the law. This arrest is evidence of our commitment to rooting out criminality, even within our ranks," she said.

Investigation to ascertain the involvement of these firearms in other crimes is underway. -SAnews.gov.za

 

 

Edwin
Fri, 02/28/2025 - 11:36
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Police launch manhunt following Pretoria night club incident

Location: News

Police launch manhunt following Pretoria night club incident

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a manhunt for at least eight foreign national suspects in connection with a Pretoria night club incident that is making the rounds on social media platforms.

This as video clips of the incident have been circulating on social media.

In a statement on Tuesday, the SAPS said that its Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Investigations (FCS) unit had taken over investigations into the incident.

The FCS unit is responsible for the investigation of sexual related offences.

“The main charges that are being investigated by the SAPS are the following: compelled rape, assault, crimen injuria, intimidation and kidnapping. Following a call by the SAPS for victims to come forward, the SAPS confirms that only three victims aged 20, 21 and 22 reported at the Brooklyn police station on Monday evening. 

“According to the victims, the[re] were a group of five friends who were subjected to the abuse. Police are confident that the other two victims will be traced and their statements will also be included in the docket,” said the SAPS. 

The victims allege that the incident happened in January 2023 wherein a dispute arose between the five friends, bouncers and manager of the night club.

The bouncers and manager allegedly forced the five victims into a storeroom and began assaulting them, instructed them to insert alcohol bottles into their private parts and forced them to perform sexual acts on themselves.

“Police are also calling on a man who claims to be a former bouncer of the night club who goes by the name of Pablo on social media to also come forward to assist police investigations. Pablo has made numerous allegations and police are of the view that he would be instrumental in assisting police to solve this case,” said the SAPS.

Meanwhile in statement posted to social media platform X on Monday, Zanzou management said it was aware of the circulation of “disturbing historical videos which depicts security personnel employing excessive and violent force in response to incidents of phone theft by the individuals therein".

“At the time when management became aware of these practices, an immediate investigation was conducted which resulted in the immediate halting of such as well as the dismissal of security personnel responsible for the perpetration thereof, in line with our commitment to ensuing a safe and secure environment,” it said.

The night club said it remained steadfast in its dedication to the safety and well-being of its patrons.

“We are fully prepared to cooperate with law enforcement authorities in any investigations related to his matter,” it said.

The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has commended the Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni and his team for the speed in which they have attended to the case. 

“General Masemola is satisfied with the level of response and assures the victims that police will ensure a thorough investigation is conducted to ensure perpetrators are brought to book,” said the SAPS.

The police also called on those who have knowledge of the whereabouts of the suspects to report to the Brooklyn police station or call the Crime Stop Hotline number on 0860010111. Those with smart phones are encouraged to download the MYSAPS app to share information. “Those reporting are reminded that they may remain anonymous,” said the police. -SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Tue, 02/18/2025 - 09:56
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Read morePolice launch manhunt following Pretoria night club incident