PUBLIC GATHERINGS IN MAFETENG DISTRICT
The Office of the Ombudsman (OoO) embarked on outreach activities which included exhibition stalls and public gatherings (pitsos) around the country with the aim of sensitizing different target audiences. This is a continuous initiative aimed at informing all Basotho of the role played by the Ombuds and duties. The OoO held public gatherings in Butha-Buthe district in March 2024 and Mafeteng district in May 2024. Twenty-eight (28) villages were addressed in groups and 610 villagers attended these public gatherings and one thousand flyers were distributed.
Most of the complaints received related to the mine that was operating illegally in Kolo. The villagers were complaining that their houses were being damaged by the operation of the mine, moreover, even before the mine was officially closed it has not fulfilled its promises of employing local communities and bringing much needed electricity to the village as it had initially promised. The villagers were then advised on the procedure to be taken in order for their complaints to be investigated by the Ombudsman.