Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) held a press briefing on the 2nd May 2018 at TRC conference hall on “Extended Pre-Trial Detention, Police Brutality on Disadvantaged Communities, Judicial Crisis and Poor Service Delivery in Mining Affected Communities which Have Become Major Contributors Of Human Rights Violations In Lesotho”. The Centre participated at the NGOs Forum and the 62nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights – Nouakchott, Islamic Republic of Mauritania from the 21-27 April 2018. The media briefing was intended to report back to the public on the issues the Centre underscored at the African Commission.

Transformation Resource Centre intervened in the recent community uprising against the mine due to the dissatisfaction of the community regarding non-compliance of the Storm Mountain Diamonds (SMD) to the agreements made on Friday February 9, 2018. Some of the community grievances include negligible employment opportunities for the community, poor road infrastructure, failure to construct community toilets as corporate social responsibility and resettlement of community members.

The community aggrieved by these incidents went to the main road leading to Tlaeeng embarking on a blockade on Wednesday morning (April 26, 2018) until Thursday afternoon (April 27, 2018). They were forcefully ordered to unblock the road by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Paseka Mokete without any resolutions. DCP Mokete gave the instruction at the public gathering which was meant to give the position of the mine and the police in relation to the community grievances. The community was also requested to give the government an opportunity to intervene in the matters.

However, the mine and the government have aggravated the matter by arresting the chairperson of the community committee on allegations of igniting violence and making life-threatening comments/
No clear resolutions have been made up until this far. The community is still aggrieved and wounded by the reluctance of the mine and government to deliver on their promises. TRC continues to advocate for the rights of the mine affected community and assist in the fair resolutions of the persisting problems.

Transformation Resource Centre held a two day Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 27th – 28th April 2018 at the Centre’s conference hall. The AGM featured presentations on “The Non-Accountability of Public Funds” from Hon. Sam Rapapa (Chairperson of the Economic Cluster), Hon. Likopo Mahase member of the Public Account Committee, Dr Maluke Letete (Nul Lecturer and Economist) and Mr Kopano Mou representing the Auditor General’s office. On the second day, the TRC board made presentations on both the 2017 annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017. Amongst the participants were the TRC members, academia, civil society and legislatures.

Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) and sister organization Construction and Mineworkers Association Union (CAMAU) held a memorial service for CAMAU’s deputy President Pheello Solomon Lemeke on Thursday 26th April 2018. Mr Lemeke passed away on the 11th April 2018 from heart failure associated with being overworked. He was an activist who fought for the labor rights of employees within the mining industry of Lesotho for years. He had worked in different mines in Lesotho and South Africa. He was currently working at Storm Mountain Diamond (SMD) when he died. May his soul rest in peace. Amongst the attendees were the Minister of Mines, the Chair-person of the Natural Resource Cluster from National Assembly, former Law Society President, family, CAMAU comrades and friends.

SADC Preventative Mission in Lesotho (SAPMIL) through its civilian unit led by Ambassador George had a consultative meeting with TRC on the 5th April 2018. The delegation sought human rights breadth of view from the Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) as a leading civil society organization on human rights issues in Lesotho. The organization has contributed tremendously in raising human rights awareness an seeking redress for people whose rights have been violated. TRC continuously advocates for the right to fair trial to separate the guilty from the innocent in order to achieve a just society.

Transformation Resource Centre hosts the Parliamentary- Public Accounts Committee as Guests at its monthly friends meeting. The forum’s discussions were on the roles and functions of the committee in ensuring that public finances are transparently, honestly and effectively utilized by all government departments. Among the invitees were the civil society organizations, academia, media, parliamentarians and public interest groups

Transformation Resource Centre hosts a post budget dialogue with Minister of Finance Dr Moeketsi Majoro and Economist Dr Maluke Letete. The dialogue engaged multi stakeholders to interrogate the proposed budget 2018/19, themed “Pursuing Job Creation and Restoring Fiscal Stability and Sustainability”.
(Through the Consolidation of Peace and Stability)” In attendance were CSOs, youth, community budget monitors, policy makers, the academia, and the media among others.

These weapons were confiscated by the LDF in August 2014, a night that saw the shutdown of Local Radio Stations, raiding of some police stations and the death of Sub-Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko. The operation was said to be an attempted coup but the then LDF authorities said it was meant to disarm members of the LMPS who were to assist some politicians.

The Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) submitted its views on the National Reforms Commission Bill 2018 before the Portfolio Committee on Law and Public Safety. Submissions emphasized on a need to establish an independent and autonomous Reforms Commission; a body which shall be credible and adopt an inclusive approach.

TRC launches the maintenance of the supply of water pumps for Ha Mohlakoana Community

Transformation Resource Centre through its socio and economic rights department officially launched the construction and maintenance of the water supply system for Ha Mohlakoana community in Telle Community Council at Mount Moorosi, Quthing.

This construction and maintenance comes shortly after a special request was made in 2014 to TRC even though it is not a service delivering organisation but it realised the importance of characterising water crisis in this community. The initiative has been done in consultation with Quthing department of rural water supply and will not only benefit Ha Mohlakoana Chache community members but also members of the community from Manyalasing and others.

This maintenance will assist over 120 villagers and 30 households who had to walk long distances (over 300m) on foot to fetch water from nearby schools or from unprotected water springs found at the village.

The construction and maintenance costs of Ha Mohlakoana water supply pumps amounts to M70 000. The initiative was officiated by the Minister of water Hon. Samonyane Ntsekele who thanked TRC for supporting Ha Mohlakoana communities and acknowledged that it is the duty of His ministry to deliver water services to the public.