The International Press Institute (IPI) condemns the abduction and assault of Newsday editor and human rights activist Kananelo Boloetse. IPI calls on Lesotho’s authorities to swiftly and thoroughly investigate this attack and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Three unidentified men abducted Boloetse from his home in Katlehong, Maseru on September 5, 2026 and took him to a remote location, according to a statement published by Newsday. They questioned him about his journalism and human rights work, then assaulted him and threatened his life.
Neighbours had seen a suspicious vehicle monitoring the house in the hours before the abduction, Newsday reported. The assailants abandoned Boloetse in the Thaba-Bosiu area. He later regained consciousness and, despite his injuries, made his way to a nearby road, where a passing driver picked him up.
Boloetse told IPI he sustained severe injuries and is still recovering both physically and psychologically.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa Lesotho Chapter (MISA Lesotho), the media freedom organization where Boloetse formerly served as chairperson, condemned the assault. In a statement, it said: “To abduct a journalist from his home, inflict severe physical violence, and discard him in the remote terrain of Thaba-Bosiu under threat of death is a barbaric violation of human dignity. More critically, it signals a dangerous regression into a state of lawlessness that threatens the constitutional democracy of our country.”
On September 7, Lesotho Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation Nthati Moorosi visited Newsday’s offices and assured them of government support. She emphasised that journalists should not be silenced and should be allowed to undertake their watchdog role freely.
“This incident undermines press freedom and sends a chilling message to the entire media fraternity in Lesotho,” IPI Africa Programme Lead Nompilo Simanje said. “Such acts of violence against the press have no place in a free and democratic society. IPI welcomes the Minister’s assurances and commitment to press freedom and urges the Lesotho Mounted Police Service to swiftly investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable in line with Lesotho’s regional and international commitments.”
Boloetse’s abduction came days after Newsday said a cyberattack disrupted its website and email services. The outlet has linked the attack to its investigative work on education financing in Lesotho.