Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Lesotho security agencies; Lesotho Defence force (LDF) and Lesotho Mounted Service (LMPS) have taken one major step towards restoring peace amongst themselves and in the country as LDF finally returned LMPS guns and bullets seized in what was claimed as a ‘coup’ on August 30 2014.
It took a long road before normalcy returned to the blighted relationship between the two security agencies. On August 2014, the Prime Minister Dr Thomas Motsoahae and other army members fled the country to South Africa fearing for their lives.
On the said date, LDF attacked the police stations in Maseru including the police headquarters where one Sub-Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko was brutally killed and police guns were seized.
During the ‘coup’, radio stations were closed. LDF denied it launched a coup, saying it was moving against police elements suspected of planning to arm a political grouping, the army spokesperson Major Ntlele Ntoi said.
It was also reported that one soldier and four police officers had been injured during the army attack. Political tensions had been high in Lesotho since June 2014 when Thabane suspended the country’s parliament to avoid a no-confidence vote amid feuding in the coalition government.
Mr Mothetjoa Metsing who was then Deputy Prime Minister had vowed to form a new coalition that would oust Thabane. Diplomats said the army was mostly loyal to Metsing.
It was reported that the army made its move after the prime minister had fired the then army commander, Lieutenant-General Kennedy Tlali Kamoli who is detained and is being charged for crimes that were committed over the past few years including the August 2014 ‘coup’.
The handing-over ceremony was held at Makoanyane Barracks on Thursday in the presence of LDF Principal Secretary Retired Colonel Tanki Mothae, LDF Commander Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela, LMPS Commissioner Holomo Molibeli and the SADC Prevention Mission in Lesotho (SAPMIL) representatives.
The now LDF commander Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela however admits that the seizing of LMPS weapons was far an unlawful act and not a ‘peaceful operation’ like it was said before.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lieut. Gen Letsoela emphasized that the step taken by LDF was a way of reconciling with LMPS for the benefit of the nation. He said he was acknowledging the instruction given to him by the government of Lesotho when he was appointed the army commander.
Letsoela went on to admit that what happened on August 30, 2014 was bad and one of the biggest mistakes LDF have done. He therefore apologized on behalf of the institution to the government of Lesotho and the nation as a whole.
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli acknowledged the efforts of LDF commander to have finally cooperated and returned LMPS weapons. He also emphasized on the need for LDF and LMPS to reconcile and work in peace since stability depends on both.
He went on to mention that they have verified that the captured weapons have all been returned – all in good condition and they are satisfied. Likewise, Mothae expressed his delight for both institutions to have mutually engaged in making peace.
He emphasized that for both institutions to cooperate is not a voluntary thing to do but a must as per the Constitution of Lesotho. Among other things he complimented LDF on was that the weapons which were used to kill the former LDF Commander Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao have also been handed over to the police and investigations are ongoing.
Mahao was brutally killed by army members in June 2015. Since independence in 1966, Lesotho has undergone a number of military coups. In 1998 at least 58 locals and eight South African soldiers died and a number of shops in Maseru were damaged during a political stand-off and subsequent fighting.
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