Dr Tshepo Lipholo, a member of Lesotho's parliament, is currently facing serious criminal charges after publicly accusing the monarchy of signing away the country's control to South Africa. This has raised significant concerns regarding the reputation of the royal family and sparked heated debates about sovereignty and territorial claims.
The opposition MP has previously called for portions of South Africa, including the Free State province, to be recognized as part of Lesotho. The Basotho, the indigenous people of Lesotho, historically resided in these territories until they were seized in the 19th century during the expansion of Afrikaners.
Dr Lipholo's charges stem from remarks he made between April and June 2025, during which he reportedly called King Letsie III's actions tantamount to making Lesotho the "10th South African province." He has also declared himself the paramount chief of Basutoland, a title from the country’s colonial era, which has incurred further criticism.
The authorities accuse Dr Lipholo of "uttering seditious words" and "inciting public violence" through various social media platforms and interviews. His legal issues deepened when Major General Samuel Makoro, a retired army officer, was arrested for allegedly assisting him by providing sensitive information.
Dr Lipholo leads the Basotho Covenant Movement (BCM), which holds a single seat in parliament. His claims for territory are grounded in a 1962 UN resolution emphasizing the right to self-determination for Basotho people, but experts suggest that he faces an uphill battle. Lesotho's position is complicated by the 1964 Cairo Declaration, wherein African leaders agreed to uphold existing borders to prevent conflicts.
Despite his assertions, South African officials deem Dr Lipholo’s motion unlikely to gain traction without broader support from the Lesotho populace. Nonetheless, he has expressed intentions to seek discussions on this matter in the British Parliament, as the colonial legacy continues to impact territorial claims in the region.
As his legal situation unfolds, Dr Lipholo remains in police custody awaiting further developments, while national sentiments continue to swirl regarding identity, governance, and the historical context of territorial rights.
