Lesotho Police Under Fire After Youth Protest Over Unemployment Halted by Permit Mishap

The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) is facing mounting criticism after a peaceful youth protest march, intended to spotlight the growing crisis of youth unemployment, was abruptly cancelled due to what organisers claim was deliberate mishandling of the protest permit.

The march, originally scheduled for Friday, 4 July 2025, was called off at the last minute when organisers discovered that the police-issued permit listed the incorrect date — 3 June 2025. This error rendered the permit invalid, dashing the hopes of hundreds of young Basotho who had planned to peacefully voice their frustrations.

Eric Adoro, who led the initiative, accused the LMPS of undermining the protest by inserting incorrect information into the permit, and failing to properly communicate changes. “We believe this was not an innocent mistake,” Adoro said. “It felt like a calculated move to sabotage our right to protest.”

According to Adoro, the march was to proceed from Sethaleng sa Mopapa through Katlehong and IEMS, ending at Parliament where a petition was to be delivered to the Speaker of the National Assembly. The LMPS-issued permit instead listed the march for June 3, a full month earlier than intended.

Adoro claimed that repeated attempts to get clearances from relevant authorities were met with silence and delays. “The Maseru City Council took too long to respond, and the Speaker of Parliament was reportedly out of the country,” he explained. “Eventually, when we secured the permit, we discovered the wrong date as we were finalising logistics. The police then told us we’d have to reapply, and wait another seven days.”

In a statement issued shortly after the cancellation, Adoro accused the police of unilaterally altering key aspects of the march — including the date, time, and route — without consultation. “We were set for 4 July, and the next thing we knew, the permit had Thursday listed, causing total confusion,” he said.

Despite the disappointment, Adoro urged the youth to remain united and peaceful. “This journey is not easy. But our fight for justice and employment must continue.”

The LMPS, however, rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing. Deputy police spokesperson, Sub-Inspector ‘Makeabetsoe Mofoka, initially said it was the responsibility of organisers to submit correct details. “If the applicant writes the wrong date, that’s what will reflect on the permit,” she asserted.

However, she later admitted to what she described as “a typographical error” on the police’s part, but insisted the protest could have gone ahead regardless. “They could have contacted us and we would have resolved it. A typo doesn’t cancel a legal march,” Mofoka said.

She also confirmed that officers had been deployed and were ready to provide security for the event. “The organisers gave up too easily. They failed to double-check their paperwork,” she added.

Later that day, Adoro confirmed that police had phoned to apologise for the mix-up, offering little consolation to the many disappointed youth who were expecting to march.

Young people who spoke to this publication said they viewed peaceful demonstrations as a critical tool for civic engagement and democratic expression. “Marches give us a voice. When policies fail us and opportunities disappear, protest becomes our last resort,” said one university graduate.

They emphasised that peaceful protests raise awareness, influence policy, and hold those in power accountable. “Marches are not just gatherings — they are symbols of democracy in action. They show we are aware, informed, and ready to demand change.”

The failed protest reignites debate over how public institutions in Lesotho handle civic participation. While the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and assembly, incidents like these raise concern about whether those rights are respected in practice — particularly when it comes to youth-led activism.

As youth unemployment continues to soar, frustrations are growing. But even amid setbacks, Lesotho’s youth appear determined to keep pushing for the justice, opportunities, and recognition they believe they deserve.