On 5 September 2026, human rights defender and journalist Kananelo Boloetse, Newsday Media News Editor, was reportedly abducted from his home in Katlehong, Maseru, by three armed men. According to Newsday, he was taken to another location, questioned about his journalism and human rights work, physically assaulted and later abandoned in the Thaba-Bosiu area, outside Maseru. His attackers allegedly threatened to kill him if he reported the incident. Boloetse subsequently reached a nearby road, where he was rescued, and received medical attention for injuries sustained during the attack.
Boloetse is also Chairperson of Section 2, a civil society organisation working on constitutional democracy, freedom of expression and civic space. The questioning about his journalistic and human rights activities raises concerns that the attack may have been linked to his professional and civic work. The incident follows a cyberattack that disrupted Newsday’s website and email services and comes as Section 2 has been pursuing accountability issues related to education financing. These developments add to concerns about the safety of journalists and civil society actors working on transparency and public accountability.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa Lesotho Chapter (MISA Lesotho) condemned the abduction and called for an urgent investigation and for those responsible to be brought to justice. The threat to kill Boloetse if he disclosed the attack also raises concerns about intimidation and possible retaliation aimed at deterring him from speaking publicly about the incident. The attack may have a chilling effect on journalists and human rights defenders, discouraging scrutiny of matters of public interest and affecting freedom of expression and the ability of civil society to operate without fear of intimidation or retaliation.