Mokhotlong , April 17 — Small-scale traders on Thursday gathered at the Mokhotlong Magistrate’s Court after being summoned to appear in connection with a land dispute.
The summons, dated March 26, 2026, required their appearance before the court on April 16 in a case involving the applicant, Mr. Jianyong Zhang, a Mosotho adult male from Mapholaneng in Mokhotlong, and 38 respondents comprising Basotho men, women, and a company trading at Plot No. 50274-10387 in the Mokhotlong urban area.
According to court documents, the applicant is seeking an order compelling the respondents to remove their structures from the disputed plot, alleging non-compliance with an earlier request. It is further stated that the applicant intends to construct a building on the land.
The respondents appeared before Magistrate ’Makopano Taole, who advised them to secure legal representation and adjourned the matter to April 27.
In a brief interview, one of the respondents, 71-year-old Mamojela Shale, said she has been operating a second-hand clothing business at the site since 2008.
“When we are told to remove our shacks from the plot, we will do so, but our business is going to suffer. Personally, I do not know where I will take my shack and the clothes in it,” she said.
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