Lesotho has resumed the exportation of its wool and mohair. This comes after the National Assembly passed the Agricultural Marketing (Wool and Mohair Licensing) (Amendment) Regulation. The exportation will be done through the South African broker, BKB Limited.
As a nation, we should doff our hats to the determination and relentless resistance shown by the farmers to corruption. Let us remember that Port Elizabeth is the international market for wool and mohair. Therefore, it has always been their preferred destination where they can have good returns. They (BKB) have known this trade since the 1800s.
Dr Mohlalefi Moteane, Local Trader
In 2018, the regulation had been passed, denying farmers the right to export the products through brokers outside the country. They were, therefore, only allowed to auction the product through the Lesotho Wool Centre (LWC). The LWC was run by Chinese-owned Maseru Dawning.
However, even as the regulations took effect in 2018, farmers cried foul citing the move as a selfish act by the government so as to give monopoly to a Chinese Businessman, alias Stone Shi.
The farmers went to court to have the regulations repealed. Thereafter, in May last year, they won in the High Court. However, government appealed the High Court ruling and the appeal court overturned it.
The amendment to the law, thus, comes as a great relief to the farmers and their associations who have reportedly already offloaded two trucks of wool at Port Elizabeth in South Africa.
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