The Ministry of Law and Justice says it requires at least 700 hectares of land to increase food production in correctional institutions during the 2026/2027 financial year.
Presenting his ministry’s budget before the Committee of Supply in the National Assembly, Minister of Law and Justice, Mr. Richard Ramoeletsi, requested a recurrent budget of M398,278,445 to support its operations.
Mr. Ramoeletsi indicated that the ministry previously cultivated only 300 hectares of maize in Peka, Ha Makhoathi and Maphutseng through block farming. He noted the need to expand production to include maize, beans and sorghum in order to address persistent food shortages reported in correctional facilities.
He also highlighted ongoing challenges regarding uniforms for inmates and Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) officers even though about 700 uniforms have been produced, more are still needed. He explained that the uniforms are made by inmates under skills transfer programme.
In addition, the minister said the ministry plans to procure more blankets and mattresses for inmates and undertake rehabilitation of correctional institutions in Teyateyaneng, Qacha’s Nek, Quthing, Mokhotlong and Botha-Bothe.
Mr. Ramoeletsi noted that the requested budget will cover compensation of employees, transport, operational costs and other expenses across the ministry’s 12 departments.
Meanwhile, Members of Parliament approved the request, allocating the full amount of M398,278,445 to the ministry.
Source: Lesotho News Agency [LENA]
