PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15 September 2026 | Maseru, Lesotho
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho strongly condemns the reported vandalism and destruction of equipment and furniture at KEL Radio Station over the weekend.
MISA Lesotho is concerned by the incident and stands in solidarity with the management and staff of KEL Radio during what is undoubtedly a difficult period for the station.
While the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the motive and those responsible, have not yet been established, the destruction of broadcasting equipment is unacceptable regardless of the circumstances in which it occurred.
Radio remains an important platform for communities to access information, engage with issues affecting their lives, and participate in public discourse. Any deliberate destruction of equipment that enables a media institution to carry out this function has consequences that extend beyond the organisation itself. It potentially affects journalists and media workers, audiences, clients, sources, and the wider community that relies on the station’s services.
MISA Lesotho welcomes the intervention and concern expressed by the Minister of Information, Communication, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nthati Moorosi, following her visit to the station. We further welcome the indication that the matter is receiving the attention of the police.
We urge the relevant authorities to ensure that the investigation is conducted thoroughly, independently and transparently, and that any person found responsible is dealt with in accordance with the law.
MISA Lesotho also calls for greater attention to the protection of media infrastructure across the country. Broadcasting facilities, newsroom equipment, transmission infrastructure and other resources that enable journalists and media institutions to operate are essential components of the country’s information ecosystem.
Attacks on such infrastructure should therefore not be treated merely as ordinary property damage. Where media operations are disrupted, the ability of citizens to receive information is also potentially affected.
We encourage media houses and relevant stakeholders to remain vigilant and to strengthen appropriate security measures around media facilities while ensuring that journalists and media workers are able to carry out their work without intimidation, interference or unnecessary risk.
MISA Lesotho remains committed to protecting media freedom, freedom of expression and the public’s right to access information. We will continue to monitor developments concerning the KEL Radio incident and urge all relevant authorities to ensure that the matter is brought to a lawful and transparent conclusion.
We stand with the management and staff of KEL Radio and wish them strength as they work to restore their operations.
